Diastema in Canary Wharf
Since we started back in 2004, Mouth Dental has been a beacon of excellence for people seeking the best in oral health care.
Introduction
Since we started back in 2004, Mouth Dental has been a beacon of excellence for people seeking the best in oral health care. We always provide a flawless and complete patient journey from routine to cosmetic dentistry, backed by our team of experienced consultants and specialists who are at the top of their profession. We provide our patients with complete oral care solutions from diastema treatments to fillings to root canals to teeth whitening to name a few, under one roof strengthened by our cutting-edge technological facilities. Our multi-clinic setting in London serves over 9000 patients who have regained the confidence of their restored beautiful smiles.
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What is Diastema?
Diastema is the gaps between teeth and while it can happen anywhere it is most noticeable when it happens between the upper front two teeth. This usually occurs when there is a disproportionate relationship between the jaw and the size of the teeth such as when the teeth are too small for the available space. It can also happened when there are alignment problems, over-sized tissue or protruding teeth.
There are a number of external factors that can contribute to diastema.
- If your swallowing reflex is incorrect it can cause your tongue to push against your teeth instead of the roof of the mouth as should happen. Over time it can cause the teeth to push forward and for a gap to appear
- Mostly relevant to kids, but thumb sucking or any such habits that put pressure on the front teeth
- Again relevant to children when they lose their primary teeth it can cause a temporary gap till their permanent teeth settle into their correct positions.
Can diastema be treated?
Yes diastema can be treated but the treatment plan will vary depending on the cause for the gap between your teeth. Sometimes the gap is cosmetic and does not cause you too many problems. For this sometimes the treatment is easy compared to preventing the gaps from reoccurring.
For very young children with diastema there is always the possibility that the gap will close on its own, over time. As the permanent teeth develop the size of teeth is generally bigger than those of the baby teeth. A dentist can evaluate the various factors such as the spacing between the teeth to determine if time will naturally close the gap between the teeth. If there is no more than 2mm between the teeth then it is likely to close naturally. If you child has a habit of finger or thumb sucking then do try to wean them from the habit as it can cause the front teeth to shift and for gaps to appear.
Gum disease is another factor that can contribute towards diastema. Your dentist will first treat the disease and then sort out the gap, because gum disease causes major oral health issues. If you suspect that you have gum disease with symptoms such as loose teeth, bleeding gyms, red and swollen gums then it is best to seek immediate medical help from your dentist.
You don’t really need to sort out diastema for medical reasons, but if you are unhappy with your appearance and would like a change then it is possible to narrow or close gaps in the teeth with treatment. Besides the aesthetic reasons many adults choose to correct the issue owing to the discomfort it causes when eating and the possibility of food particles becoming caught in between the teeth and causing bacteria build up, which affects your oral health.
What is Diastema?
Diastema is the gaps between teeth and while it can happen anywhere it is most noticeable when it happens between the upper front two teeth. This usually occurs when there is a disproportionate relationship between the jaw and the size of the teeth such as when the teeth are too small for the available space. It can also happened when there are alignment problems, over-sized tissue or protruding teeth.
There are a number of external factors that can contribute to diastema.
- If your swallowing reflex is incorrect it can cause your tongue to push against your teeth instead of the roof of the mouth as should happen. Over time it can cause the teeth to push forward and for a gap to appear
- Mostly relevant to kids, but thumb sucking or any such habits that put pressure on the front teeth
- Again relevant to children when they lose their primary teeth it can cause a temporary gap till their permanent teeth settle into their correct positions.
Can diastema be treated?
Yes diastema can be treated but the treatment plan will vary depending on the cause for the gap between your teeth. Sometimes the gap is cosmetic and does not cause you too many problems. For this sometimes the treatment is easy compared to preventing the gaps from reoccurring.
For very young children with diastema there is always the possibility that the gap will close on its own, over time. As the permanent teeth develop the size of teeth is generally bigger than those of the baby teeth. A dentist can evaluate the various factors such as the spacing between the teeth to determine if time will naturally close the gap between the teeth. If there is no more than 2mm between the teeth then it is likely to close naturally. If you child has a habit of finger or thumb sucking then do try to wean them from the habit as it can cause the front teeth to shift and for gaps to appear.
Gum disease is another factor that can contribute towards diastema. Your dentist will first treat the disease and then sort out the gap, because gum disease causes major oral health issues. If you suspect that you have gum disease with symptoms such as loose teeth, bleeding gyms, red and swollen gums then it is best to seek immediate medical help from your dentist.
You don’t really need to sort out diastema for medical reasons, but if you are unhappy with your appearance and would like a change then it is possible to narrow or close gaps in the teeth with treatment. Besides the aesthetic reasons many adults choose to correct the issue owing to the discomfort it causes when eating and the possibility of food particles becoming caught in between the teeth and causing bacteria build up, which affects your oral health.
What are the different kinds of diastema treatments available?
There are a number of effective treatments to close gaps available and you can discuss and determine with your dentist the best option for you.
Different types of braces
There are a variety of braces to choose from that are a popular treatment option for gently shifting teeth into a desired position. Braces are available as metal or ceramic which involves fixing metal or ceramic brackets to each tooth with a flexible wire that is adjusted to help the teeth align. This wire is tightened as the treatment progresses. Today, besides the metal option you also get the invisible or tooth-coloured brackets made of ceramic or titanium alloys.
Braces are a minimally invasive treatment option because the brackets that are placed on your teeth are permanent for the duration of your treatment. This will have an effect on the quality of your life. If you prefer something not outwardly visible you can opt for lingual braces which are fixed behind your teeth, but these are more expensive and do take longer to adjust your teeth when compared to the conventional braces.
Braces will take about 12 months to about two and a half years with very rare cases when the treatments lasts longer. You will need to make frequent visits to your dentist, roughly about four weeks apart to have the wire adjusted.
Aftercare – it is best to follow the advice of your dentist regarding the type of food and beverages you can and cannot consume. You may be asked to avoid hard, tough and chewy food as well as food with a lot of sugars in them. You need to keep your teeth and braces very clean to avoid decalcification. It is best if you brush your teeth after every meal and be sure to clean the brackets thoroughly.
Veneers
Another orthodontic treatment for diastema closure are veneers, which are wafer-thin custom made shells of a natural tooth colour. If the gap between your teeth is small about 1-3mm and if your tooth or teeth are discoloured or not perfectly shaped then veneers are the perfect option for you as the veneer can cover the entire surface instantly transforming the appearance of your natural teeth.
Veneers are a non-invasive treatment and is usually a two-step process. The first step is to take an impression of the area to be treated. The dental lab will customise your veneers based on this mould. During your second visit a few weeks later your veneers will be placed and tested for fit before being bonded into place. Your teeth might have to be etched slightly to prepare for bonding.
Aftercare includes taking very good care of your natural teeth as they are still prone to decay if not careful. Establish a very good oral hygiene routine to maintain health and to help your veneers to continue looking good. Veneers are durable but can become worn down over time if not looked after properly. Avoid chewing on hard objects, teeth grinding and using your teeth as implements to open bottles etc.
Composite Bonding
Composite bonding is a really good option for closing small gaps between your teeth. It can help you achieve successful results whether it is a midline diastema, single gap or multiple gaps. It has a natural appearance and match the natural colour of your teeth to make the bonding practically unnoticeable. Composite bonding is a cost effective non-invasive treatment which with good care can last up to seven years or more. It follows a similar process to that of veneers.
Aftercare includes looking after your teeth properly to ensure they remain healthy and strong while avoiding any hard food or objects that can chip your bonding material. It is also best to avoid for a while food, beverages and smoking that may stain the composite material.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a non-invasive alternative to braces that help to gently re-align your teeth without any visible alterations to your appearance during the treatment. It is relatively comfortable as you wear a clear plastic tray, custom made for you, over your teeth to move them gently and discreetly into the desired position. The trays are refitted and changed every two weeks to accommodate the shift in your teeth. Depending on your requirement the treatment can take between 6-18 months.
It is removable and as a result easy to care for. You can keep your teeth clean with ease and the aligners are easy to clean as well.
Diastema treatment at Mouth Dental
At Mouth Dental you receive high-end digital dentistry, specialist treatments and care. We have the best qualified in-house dental specialists and consultants while you can make use of our extended opening hours as well. We always choose the minimally invasive treatment option whenever possible including treatments for diastema.
You can make use of our payment options for your treatments that help spread out the cost. We also have a ‘pay as you go’ option that allows you to pay for the treatment you have carried out. Learn more about our 0% interest-free finance over 12 months and the 9.9% interest for up to five years, done in partnership with Chrysalis Finance.
Cost of Diastema Treatments
Treatment costs vary according to how much movement your teeth will need, the number of gaps, the material used and how much additional work is needed. A rough breakdown is as follows:
- Traditional braces may cost between £1,500 and £5,500
- Veneers cost around £100 – £400 while porcelain veneers cost around £400 – £1,000
- Composite bonding is about £400 to £1,000 per tooth
- The average price charged is about £300-350 per tooth
- Invisalign costs range from £1,500 to £5,500
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