If you have a gap between your teeth, you may be wondering if it needs to be closed. For some people, tooth gaps are a unique part of their smile and don’t cause any issues. However, some gaps can affect how you speak, chew, and feel about the appearance of your smile. While not all gaps require treatment, some may lead to complications over time.
If you are on the fence about whether you should close a tooth gap, keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of this service and whether your gap needs to go.
What is a Tooth Gap?
A tooth gap, also known as a diastema, is a space between two teeth. These gaps most commonly occur between the upper front teeth but can appear anywhere in the mouth. Tooth gaps can vary in size and may be caused by several factors. Some gaps are a result of genetics or natural tooth development. Others may be caused by habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, which put pressure on the front teeth.
Gum disease and bone loss can also lead to shifting teeth and the development of gaps over time. Tooth gaps are not always a cause for concern. In many cases, they are simply a cosmetic issue. However, some gaps can lead to misalignment or difficulty chewing and may require dental attention.
The Pros of Closing a Tooth Gap
There are several reasons why a dental patient may decide to close a tooth gap, including:
Improved Aesthetics
In many cases, a dental patient will consider investing in this service if they are experiencing some insecurities about the appearance of their smile. It isn’t uncommon for dental patients to experience some insecurity about the appearance of their smile. If a gap is contributing to these insecurities, it is in your best interest to reach out to your dental team about whether closing your gap is your best option.
Enhanced Oral Function and Health
Some tooth gaps can significantly impact your oral function and health. Gaps may cause misalignments, leading to difficulty chewing and speaking. They may also trap food and bacteria, increasing your risk of developing gum disease or tooth decay. By closing these spaces, your teeth may be more properly aligned, reducing strain on your jaw. Additionally, it becomes easier to maintain oral hygiene, helping you achieve better oral health.
Address Speech Impediments
If you have a gap between your front teeth, this may lead to the development of a speech impediment like a lisp. Much like potential insecurities about the appearance of your smile, the resulting speech impediments may lead to insecurities when speaking. Closing your gap can help you reduce or entirely eliminate these speech impediments, making it a great reason to invest in this dental care.
The Cons of Closing a Tooth Gap
Although there are many benefits to investing in this dental care, there are a few cons you may want to consider before taking the next step, including:
Cost of Orthodontic Care
While you may consider closing a tooth gap, this may be a far more costly investment than you can currently make. Although many dental and orthodontic offices offer payment plans for this kind of care, it may still be more expensive than you can justify. If your insurance has made it clear that it won’t cover this procedure (most frequently in situations where the care is deemed cosmetic), you may not be able to invest in this service.
Lost Charm
When looking at your smile in a crowd of people, you may love how your gap helps you stand out. When you choose to close a tooth gap, you may find that your smile loses the charm you’ve come to love, and that is difficult to replicate. This feature isn’t that common, with only about 25% of adults having a gap between their front teeth. If you want to maintain the unique features you’ve come to love, you may not want to close your gap.
Treatment Sensitivity
If you are already experiencing tooth and gum sensitivity, choosing to undergo orthodontic treatment to close your gap may increase this discomfort. Some dental patients will experience tooth, gum, and jaw pain as their teeth shift, especially as they reach adulthood. If you want to avoid this irritation and your gap isn’t compromising your oral health, you may want to consider avoiding this treatment.
Long Treatment Timeline
In some cases, it can take months longer than you anticipate to close your gap. As dental patients reach adulthood, their jaws are far less malleable. This lack of flexibility may mean your teeth will shift more slowly than they would if you underwent orthodontic care during your childhood. Before making the investment in this care, it is important to determine whether this timeline is worth the results.
Is Closing a Tooth Gap an Essential Dental Service?
If you have a tooth gap, you may think it is essential to close it. However, this isn’t always the case. Closing a gap isn’t a vital service for cases where your gap doesn’t compromise your oral health, tooth function, and speech. If, however, you find that your gap is complicating everyday activities or compromising tooth health, it may be essential.
To determine whether you need to schedule care to address this gap, it is best to reach out to a trusted dental team for support. If you love your gap and want to keep it if possible, make sure to clarify this. Your dentist may be able to close your gap just enough to protect surrounding teeth while helping maintain your charm.
Additionally, if you’re dealing with a tooth gap in children, you may want to wait until their adult teeth come in to schedule care. Their baby teeth are smaller than adult teeth, and the gaps between them may be filled as their adult teeth come in. To ensure your child’s gap isn’t harming their overall oral health, it is important that you schedule early dental exams.
Achieve Your Dream Smile at Avenues Dentistry
Whether you love your gap or want to close it, our team at Avenues Dentistry is here to help you achieve and maintain your dream smile. We understand how important it is to have a smile you love, and we’ll do everything we can to ensure you have a healthy, bright smile for years to come. From our top-tier cosmetic procedures to essential cleanings, root canals, fillings, and more, our team is prepared to do it all.
If you’d like to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment to discuss closing a tooth gap, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
