Gap between your teeth: closing a diastema

Do you have such a diastema, does this small imperfection bother you and would you like something done about it? Then you can choose to use veneers. These are small pieces of porcelain or composite applied to the outside of your teeth. That way the gap between your teeth is filled. The disadvantage is that you may have to have them reapplied regularly.

Crowns or bridges can also be placed to hide the diastema, as it were. When a crown is placed, a cap of metal or porcelain is glued over a filed-down tooth. This gives the tooth the desired shape and size to fill the gap. The same applies to a bridge, only then for several teeth. A disadvantage is that crowns and bridges can come loose.

A costly and even more invasive treatment of a diastema is the replacement of one or more teeth by implants. These options are only possible for adults.

You can of course also choose a more durable treatment that does less damage to your teeth, namely the orthodontic treatment. Choosing clear Invisalign aligners is the best solution for getting a nicely straight set of teeth without gaps.

It is also possible for a diastema to develop over time because of an overly prominent lip frenulum, the tissue between the inner lip and the gum where the front teeth sit. If that is the case, a small surgical procedure is needed. Another cause is the absence or partial absence of teeth. Secondary causes have more to do with misalignments in the mouth, such as overlaps or protruding teeth. A gap between the teeth or diastema can therefore have several causes and lead to gum problems and ultimately to tooth loss. Depending on the cause of your diastema, a treatment plan is drawn up by a dentist or orthodontist.

With the clear Invisalign aligners the position of the teeth in your mouth is corrected in a painless way. To be able to make an analysis, a treatment plan and an estimate, the practitioner needs photos, X-rays and digital scans. These are used to create a tailored 3D treatment plan for your teeth. From that it can be seen precisely where movements are needed to close the gap between your teeth. Through the 3D treatment film you get a direct picture of how your teeth will move, of the end result and of how long you will need for it. The duration also depends on whether the aligners are worn enough. And with children the changing of teeth and growth play a part as well. Once you agree with the treatment plan, the custom-made clear aligners are ordered and can be fitted. You take home the required series of ultra-thin, clear aligners. The idea is that you wear the aligners at least 22 hours a day, in order to reach a good result. Only for eating and brushing is it important to remove them.

You replace these aligners yourself with a new set every two weeks. Each time you slide a new aligner over your teeth, your teeth will gradually shift towards the desired position. Every time you will also feel the aligner pushing the teeth in the right direction. After only a few weeks you will see that your diastema is closing. The advantage of this is that you can do a large part yourself and therefore do not have to come in for check-ups as often. During the check-up appointments, which take place roughly every three months, the state and the progress of your teeth are reviewed. At the final check-up we look at whether the diastema has closed nicely and whether you are happy with the result. If so, the final position is stabilised for three months and after that you will be given a night retainer. It is important that the teeth settle firmly into their correct position.