From Huck Finn’s wide, gapped smile to the highly coveted dents du bonheur (“happy space”) in France, gaps in teeth have worked their way into popular culture across the globe. For many people, widely-spaced teeth, also known as diastema, are just a stage in their normal dental development. Spaced out teeth that persist into adulthood (or form after all adult teeth have erupted), however, can signal more serious issues. When spaces between teeth persist, it’s time to take a closer look.

What causes widely-spaced teeth?

Widely-spaced teeth have a number of different causes. As noted before, spaces between teeth naturally occur in childhood in the period between baby teeth and adult teeth. Normal growth may also account for a temporary widening between teeth, but these are the most innocent of causes.

Other more serious causes of spaced out teeth include:

  • Acromegaly
  • Ellis-van Creveld syndrome
  • Injury
  • Morquio syndrome
  • Sanfilippo syndrome

It’s important to note that there are some cases when widely-spaced teeth are normal and developmentally appropriate. Recognizing the signs of a more serious problem is most important. Widely-spaced teeth are visually apparent, and your dentist can complete a full examination to determine if the cause requires treatment beyond cosmetic work.

Acromegaly

This rare condition is caused when the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone, affecting the spaces between teeth. A gap between teeth is a specific result for adults, with a different effect in childhood.

Ellis-van Creveld syndrome

This genetic condition is caused when defects are present in one or two specific genes. Multiple systems in the body can be affected, including teeth.

Widely-spaced teeth is just one complication of this treatable but as-yet-incurable disease. Patients may also be born with cleft palate and natal teeth (teeth present at birth).

Injury

Injury can include any blow to the jaw that could cause teeth to shift in such a way that causes gaps. If the gap does not close as the injury heals, this could mean that the shift is permanent.

Morquio syndrome

This is also a genetic condition that has a number of potentially serious conditions, including abnormal development of bones, including the vertebrae.

Sanfilippo syndrome

Sanfilippo syndrome is closely related to morquio syndrome in that is genetic and is a metabolic disorder that makes breaking down long chains of carbohydrates difficult.

Widely-spaced teeth is one symptom in a list that also includes behavioral issues, sleep disorders, and joints without full mobility.

Can widely-spaced teeth affect my oral health?

Spaced out teeth have several long-term effects on oral health.

Whenever a tooth is misaligned, no matter the cause, it affects other teeth. Widely-spaced teeth that do not resolve themselves can cause difficulties with bite, resulting in uneven wear on teeth.

Uneven wear is indicated as a cause of cavity and broken teeth, both of which can eventually lead to tooth abscess. All of these conditions related to oral health can be accompanied by significant pain, and, in some cases, lead to other complications relating to inflammation in the body.

Widely-spaced teeth can also trap food particles and increase your chances of developing gum disease caused by decay. People who eat a high-sugar, high-fat diet are more likely to develop gum disease related to spaces between teeth.

Mentally, widely-spaced teeth can be challenging. For better or for worse, a bright, even smile offers a picture of health and confidence. If your smile is less-than-perfect or causing you significant pain, it can be a struggle some days to feel good about yourself. While some cultures celebrate spaced out teeth, if yours prefers a straight, unbroken line of white enamel, the adjustment can be difficult.

How to fix space between teeth

There are a number of different ways your dentist can address spaces between teeth. Wide-spaced teeth treatment options can include:

  • Traditional braces
  • Invisalign
  • Teeth gap bands
  • Crowns
  • Veneers
  • Dental implants
  • Dental bridges

Traditional braces

Traditional braces are the standard way that spaced out teeth are brought back together. Depending on the extent of the spacing, this can be a relatively easy solution.

Traditional braces are great for people with gaps between most teeth, as it corrects all of the gaps at the same time. The only downside to this correction is that teeth are still susceptible to movement after treatment. Because of this, a retainer must generally be worn at night (and the same is true with Invisalign, below). Traditional braces can also be unsightly.

Invisalign

Invisalign clear aligners help correct moderate spaces between teeth in a more subtle way.

Many adults will opt for Invisalign braces over traditional braces for cosmetic reasons, but Invisalign may not be able to close significant gaps.

Teeth gap bands

For a space between just two teeth, space gap bands may be the easiest way to affordably bring them back together.

For spaces of less than four millimeters, patients slip the band over the two affected teeth at night. This treatment can take from two weeks to six months depending on the gap.

Crowns and veneers

These two types of treatments can be attached to existing heathy teeth on either side of the gap.

While crowns cover the entire tooth surface, veneers are attached to the front of the tooth. Either of these would be made slightly larger to fill in the gaps.

Dental implants

For very widely spaced teeth, a dental implant may be the best option. In this case, your dentist will attach an artificial tooth to the jawbone itself.

This offers a strong biting surface that is a potentially more permanent solution to spaces between teeth.

Dental bridge

In cases where your gap is large but the health of the jawbone is compromised and cannot take a dental implant, dental bridges are an option to close a very wide gap. Dental bridges can be attached to healthy teeth on either side of the gap and are a more stable option than dentures, which simply rest on the gums themselves.

The wide variety of options for widely spaced teeth means that no matter the reason or the width of the gap, there is a treatment available for everyone.

Your Phoenix area cosmetic dentist can help with widely-spaced teeth; contact us today for a thorough evaluation.

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