presence of spaces between teeth is a problem that may annoy many patients. We will discuss here the most common forms of teeth spacing which are generalized teeth spacing and space between the two centrals or what we call median diastema.
Spaces between all the teeth:
The case usually happen when the patient had some congenitally missed teeth which means that the number of teeth is less than normal, also if the patient had a very large jaws and small teeth this also will cause a generalized teeth spacing.
The treatment of this case is usually veneers &/or composite fillings (teeth bonding) &/or orthodontic treatment.
The orthodontic treatment in this cases will take a little bit longer than usual because the teeth will tend to get back spaced as before treatment so the orthodontist will need to use the orthodontic retainer for a long time to keep the teeth in place and conserve the treatment results.
Types of veneers or tooth cups is also can be used to let the tooth appear wider and close the spaces in cases with relatively small spaces.
Another option is to use a tooth colored filling materials (tooth bonding) to increase the width of the tooth and close the spaces between them.
finally we have to say that the treatment of the case usually depend on the case. If the spacing is minimal and in the anterior teeth may be we will just use tooth colored restorations to close the space. If the spacing is larger or in the posteriors teeth may be you will need a veneer or tooth cap. if the case is very bad the dentist may start orthodontic treatment or tooth braces or even use a combination between the three approaches.
A dentist advice : If the case is minimal try to accept yourself the way it is. Many of the cases that i see with spacing between teeth is only minimal and usually unnoticed but the patient keep looking at the mirror and feel bad so the problem exaggerated.
Spaces between the central incisors(median diastema):
This is a very common problem with a very high prevalence(6 yr old 98%, 11 yr olds 49% and 12-18 yr olds 7%)
The cause of this case is similar to the reasons we mentioned above but also we have to add that a very common cause of this problem is that sometimes the labial frenum is attached in between the two centrals which may cause theses teeth to be spaced. So early discovering of the ridge attached labial frenum can prevent the spacing from the beginning. Last cause that the second incisor may be deformed or peg shaped which is a common defect this also will cause the centrals to move laterally in the empty space and become spaced.
The treatment of this case depend on the eruption of the canines if the canines didn’t erupt yet and the spaces is less than 3mm so no treatment is needed only supervision till the eruption of the canine and the space is usually will close after eruption of the canines. But if the space is more than 3 mm an orthodontic treatment is needed and usually the case will need prolonged retention as it tends to relapse.
If the canine erupted and the space didn’t close so the case started to be treated by the same techniques used above in generalized spacing. orthodontic %/or veneers &/or tooth colored fillings.
Spaces and crooked teeth can be straightened with either braces or Invisalign. Invisalign has become very popular recently because they are nearly invisible and much more aesthetic than conventional metal braces.