Gap Teeth Treatment
in Bend Oregon
Gap teeth, also called diastema, is when you have a noticeable space between two teeth. The most common spot is between the two front upper teeth, but gaps can happen anywhere in your mouth. Some people like the look of gap teeth and embrace them, while others feel self conscious and want to close the gap.
At Stillwater Dental Bend, we help patients decide whether to keep their gap teeth or fix them. If a gap is bothering you or causing dental problems, we have several treatment options. If you love your gap, we support that too. Its your smile, and you get to decide what makes you happy.
What Causes Gap Teeth
The most common cause of gap teeth is the size mismatch between your jaw and your teeth. If your jaw is too big for your teeth, or your teeth are too small for your jaw, gaps can form. This is usually genetic, so if your parents have gaps, you might too.
The frenum is a piece of tissue that connects your upper lip to your gums. Sometimes this tissue is too large or extends too far down, creating a gap between the front teeth. This is called a high frenum attachment.
Missing teeth can cause gaps to form as the remaining teeth drift into the empty space. If you lost a tooth and didnt replace it, the teeth next to it might shift over time.
Childhood habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting can push teeth apart and create gaps. Gum disease can also cause gaps if the bone supporting your teeth deteriorates and teeth become loose.
Some people just naturally have smaller teeth, called peg laterals, that dont take up as much space as they should. This leaves gaps on either side.
Should You Fix Gap Teeth
Not every gap needs fixing. Lots of people have gap teeth and their perfectly healthy. If the gap doesnt bother you and isnt causing dental problems, theres no medical reason to close it.
But sometimes gaps do cause problems. Food can get stuck in large gaps, which makes them harder to keep clean and increases your risk for cavities and gum disease. If the gap is from gum disease or a missing tooth, treating the underlying problem is important.
Some gaps affect how you speak. If air escapes through the gap when you talk, you might have a lisp or difficulty with certain sounds. Large gaps can also affect your bite and how your teeth come together when you chew.
A lot of our Bend patients want to close gaps for cosmetic reasons. If your self conscious about your smile, closing the gap can boost your confidence. At Stillwater Dental Bend, we’ll evaluate your gap and help you decide if treatment makes sense for you.
Treatment Options for Gap Teeth
Braces are the classic way to close gap teeth. They work by applying gentle pressure to move teeth closer together. Braces can close gaps of any size and give you precise control over tooth movement. Treatment usually takes one to two years.
Clear aligners like Invisalign are popular for closing gaps, especially small to medium ones. The aligners are nearly invisible and removable, which a lot of adults prefer. Treatment time is similar to braces, depending on the gap size.
Dental bonding is a quick fix for small gaps. We apply tooth colored resin to the sides of the teeth next to the gap, making them slightly wider so the gap closes. This can be done in one visit and costs less than braces, but bonding material can chip or stain over time.
Veneers are another option for gap teeth. We place thin porcelain shells over your front teeth, making them wider to close the gap. Veneers look incredibly natural and last a long time. This is a good choice if you also want to fix other cosmetic issues like staining or chips.
If a large frenum is causing the gap, we might recommend a frenectomy. This is a simple procedure where we remove or reposition the tissue. Once the frenum is fixed, we can close the gap with braces or aligners.
For gaps caused by missing teeth, dental implants or bridges can fill the space and prevent other teeth from drifting. This fixes the gap and restores function at the same time.
Veneers
Veneers are a popular choice for closing gap teeth, especially if you want fast results and have other cosmetic concerns. At Stillwater Dental Bend, we create custom porcelain veneers that look completely natural.
The process takes two visits. First, we prepare your teeth and take impressions. Then we place temporary veneers while the lab makes your permanent ones. At the second visit, we bond the veneers to your teeth, closing the gap and giving you a beautiful smile.
Veneers work great when you want to fix multiple things at once. Maybe you have gap teeth and staining, or a gap and chipped teeth. Veneers address all of it in one treatment.
Dental Implants
If your gap teeth are caused by a missing tooth, dental implants are the best long term solution. An implant replaces the missing tooth completely, filling the gap and preventing the remaining teeth from shifting.
We place a titanium post into your jawbone where the tooth used to be. Once it heals and fuses with the bone, we attach a custom crown on top. The result looks and functions just like a natural tooth.
At Stillwater Dental Bend, we handle the entire implant process. If you have gaps from missing teeth, implants prevent future problems and restore your smile.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are another way to fill gaps from missing teeth. A bridge uses the teeth on either side of the gap as anchors. We crown those teeth and attach a fake tooth in the middle, literally bridging the gap.
Bridges are faster and less expensive than implants. The whole process takes a few weeks. Bridges work well when the teeth next to the gap already need crowns or have large fillings.
Teeth Whitening
A lot of people who want to close gap teeth also want whiter teeth. If your planning to get veneers or bonding to fix your gap, we should whiten your other teeth first. That way we can match the veneers or bonding material to your newly whitened shade.
At Stillwater Dental Bend, we offer professional teeth whitening that gives you dramatic results. Once your teeth are white and your gap is closed, you’ll have a smile you love showing off.
Keeping Gap Teeth Closed After Treatment
After closing gap teeth with braces or aligners, wearing a retainer is important. Teeth have a natural tendency to shift back to their original positions, so retainers hold them in place while the bone and tissue stabilize.
Most people need to wear retainers full time for the first few months after treatment, then at night indefinitely. Some patients get permanent retainers bonded to the back of their teeth for extra security.
If you got veneers or bonding to close your gap, those are permanent solutions that dont require retainers. The gap stays closed as long as the veneers or bonding stay intact.
Oral Health Exams
During your oral health exam at Stillwater Dental Bend, we evaluate your gap teeth and determine whats causing them. We check if the gap is from tooth size, jaw size, a large frenum, missing teeth, or gum disease.
We take x rays to see the position of your teeth roots and check your bone health. This helps us recommend the best treatment option for your situation. If the gap is from gum disease, we need to treat that first before addressing the cosmetic concern.
Teeth Cleaning
Gap teeth can trap food and make certain areas harder to keep clean. Professional teeth cleanings at Stillwater Dental Bend help remove plaque and tartar buildup, especially in and around gaps.
If your getting orthodontic treatment to close gap teeth, regular cleanings are even more important. Braces and aligners create more spots for plaque to hide. We recommend cleanings every six months, or more often if needed.
Cost of Fixing Gap Teeth
The cost of closing gap teeth varies depending on which treatment you choose. Dental bonding is usually the least expensive option. Braces or clear aligners cost more but give you comprehensive results. Veneers are a bigger investment upfront but last a long time.
Many dental insurance plans cover orthodontic treatment for children, and some cover adults. Bonding and veneers are usually considered cosmetic and arent covered, but we can check your specific plan.
At Stillwater Dental Bend, we offer payment plans to make treatment affordable. We’ll give you a detailed cost estimate before starting any work.
Why Choose Stillwater Dental for Gap Teeth
At Stillwater Dental Bend, we respect your choices about your smile. If you love your gap teeth, we celebrate that. If you want to close the gap, we have multiple treatment options to choose from.
We take a holistic approach and look at whats causing the gap, not just the gap itself. This helps us recommend treatment that addresses the root cause and gives you lasting results.
We’ve been serving the Bend community for years and have helped many patients achieve the smile they want. We use high quality materials and take the time to get it right.
Schedule Your Gap Teeth Consultation in Bend
If you have gap teeth and want to explore your options, give Stillwater Dental Bend a call or book online. We’ll evaluate your gap, explain what caused it, and discuss treatment options that fit your goals and budget.
Whether you want to close the gap or just make sure its not causing dental problems, were here to help. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.