Causes of Gap Teeth

Teeth gapping or diastema is a common dental problem that can appear at any age. To learn more about diastema causes and treatment options in Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Manassas, or Springfield, VA, visit your orthodontists, Dr. Nadia Sina and Dr. Hilda Oweisy of My Braces Doctor.

What are the possible causes of teeth gapping?

There are different reasons you may have gaps between your teeth. The following are some:

Bad childhood habits: these include sucking the thumb for long periods and using pacifiers for years

Losing one tooth or more: when a tooth is lost, the remaining teeth will start moving toward the space, causing teeth gaps. That is why it is necessary to replace a missing tooth immediately after it’s lost.

Having gum disease: suffering from gum disease will weaken your jawbone, making it easier for your teeth to move from their place. This movement will cause teeth spacing and diastema. That’s why you should treat gum disease immediately before it causes other dental problems.

Having a large frenum: frenum is the tissue that links between your upper lip and gums. In some cases, this tissue might be too large so it separates your teeth from each other.

Baby teeth: most of the time, the size of the baby teeth is smaller than permanent teeth. This issue will cause gaps to appear between the baby teeth. Consult our orthodontists in Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Manassas, or Springfield, VA, if your child is still having diastema even after they get their adult teeth.

What are the treatment options for diastema?

Traditional braces, dental veneers, dental bonding, and Invisalign treatment are some treatments that can solve the problem. In some cases, surgical intervention is needed to remove the extra tissue if the frenum is large.

Contact us 

If you are searching for an orthodontist in Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Manassas, or Springfield, VA, visit Dr. Sina and Dr. Oweisy of My Braces Doctor. Call us at (703) 877-0990 to schedule your appointment today!