Diastemas And Other Orthodontic Issues

What options are available for a straighter, more appealing smile?

Increasingly, people in the UK are following the lead of the Americans in their desire to have a more attractive smile. Popular treatments such as teeth whitening are now very common, with others not so far behind. One issue which patients are sometimes less keen to address is when their teeth are crooked. This is often due to the fear of having to wear braces which everyone can see, and often for quite a long period of time.

There are orthodontic treatments, such as ‘Invisalign’ that are available now to straighten teeth in a much more discreet way. Often these are used where more significant correction is needed. For many people though, they may not be needed. Sometimes a patient just has minor orthodontic issues which affect them visually but which rarely pose a problem to their general oral health. We will address these in today’s blog.

What is meant by ‘minor’ orthodontic issues?

Sometimes a patient might have a tooth that is very slightly overlapping another tooth. It probably causes them very few practical problems but can detract from what would otherwise be a nice and attractive smile. Another common issue is where small gaps appear between the teeth. Perhaps the best known of these is a diastema, where there is a gap between the top two front teeth. Some people do find this attractive and may wish to leave them that way although there are practical reasons why this might not be a good idea. Others will want to close the gap, especially those who may find it causes a slight ‘whistling’ sound when they speak.

For patients with problems like these, there are options available to correct them, without a lengthy orthodontic treatment period.

Assessing the problem

The first step is to assess the issue. This can be done by one of our Burton dentists who will need to decide if this is purely a cosmetic issue, or whether it might be affecting your oral health. They will also check the health of the tooth, or teeth, as well. There is little point in straightening teeth that have started to decay without treating them, for example.

Once the assessment has taken place, we can book you in for your treatment.

Treatment options

While ‘tray’ methods of teeth straightening, such as Invisalign may have a role to play, very often we can make adjustments to your smile with much shorter treatments. The most common ones we are likely to use at SG Dental and Implant Centre are:

Cosmetic bonding

Minor corrections can sometimes be made by applying composite bonding to the tooth. This rarely requires any invasive treatment and can be applied directly to the tooth and then shaped, in the same way that you would do with putty. The bonding material is then hardened and the treatment complete.

This is a good option, although not the most permanent one. Composite bonding is likely to eventually discolour as it is a porous material and will stain. When this happens, it will be more noticeable. It may also not be as strong and can gradually chip away.

It is an excellent solution though for those who are generally happy with their smile but would like them to look more perfect for wedding photos etc.

Porcelain veneers

A more permanent solution is the use of veneers. This will usually require some invasive dental work but has the advantage of being stain resistant and more long lasting than composite bonding. They will generally last for around ten years if you look after your teeth well, and can be replaced with relative ease when needed.

Veneers offer a more consistent colour to match the rest of your teeth and are stronger too.

Fixed braces

Finally, we return to dental braces. While Invisalign style ones can be used; where minor corrections are needed, we often recommend cosmetic braces. These work in the same way as traditional braces, using wires and brackets to correct the position of the teeth, but do so in a more user-friendly way and often require a shorter treatment time. While wires and brackets are used in these braces, these are usually made from finer materials and also in teeth coloured materials. This means that they are less visible while you wear them. The combination of this, and the shorter treatment period, means that this is a popular option with many patients.

If you are unhappy with your smile, even for minor issues such as those mentioned in today’s blog, we will probably be able to help you with relatively minor treatment. If you would like to book a consultation to find out more, you can contact us by ringing the SG Dental and Implant Centre on 01283 845345.