If you are concerned about gaps in your teeth, invisible braces may provide an effective way of treating them. Discover the benefits of invisible braces for gap teeth – discreet solutions for correcting diastema and boosting your confidence.
What are Gap Teeth (Diastema) and What are the Causes?
Diastema, also known as gap teeth, is a condition that creates a noticeable gap between two or more of your teeth. This condition affects millions of people and can range in severity from minor spacing to more pronounced gaps between the front teeth.
There are a variety of potential causes of diastema including genetics, thumb sucking, poor dental hygiene habits, and even certain types of jaw growth. Genetics is thought to be the most common cause, because an individual may inherit a smaller jaw or be born with larger-than-average tooth sizes that do not leave enough room for them all to fit properly when their adult teeth begin to come in.
Thumb sucking can cause changes in how baby teeth typically fall out while they’re still young, leaving spacing issues as adult teeth grow into the mouth. Poor dental hygiene habits can also contribute towards diastema since plaque can accumulate around particular teeth and lead to traditional unsightly gaps appearing over time. Jaw growth discrepancies such as overcrowding when too many permanent teeth enter the mouth at once can also create unwanted spaces between them.
An article reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Archibald on Medical News Today states that although it is not possible to prevent all cases of diastema if the cause is due to gum disease or bad habits you can improve the condition by practicing good oral hygiene such as brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing, having regular dental examinations and avoiding thumb sucking in children.
See our article: 6MM Gap in Teeth – how to reduce it? Can it close naturally?
Invisible Braces for Gap Teeth – Which Type of Braces can Fix a Gap?
Diastema is a treatable condition and various corrective procedures, such as braces or aligners, are available for those looking for solutions.
Metal Braces
Metal braces are an effective and reliable treatment for those with gaps between teeth.
By gradually shifting the position of the teeth in the mouth, metal braces can close any gaps which may exist. In addition, metal braces can also be used to correct overcrowding and overbite, while they are commonly used to treat alignment issues such as protruding or rotated teeth.
During treatment, brackets are placed on each tooth and connected by wires that pass through the brackets. Then periodically adjusted, these wires alter the shape of your mouth’s anatomy over time, allowing your teeth to assume a more pleasing appearance.
Metal braces also have a longer life than other types of dental appliances and are generally more affordable than some alternatives. Furthermore, they are durable and able to withstand any normal oral activity, so will require less appointment time than some other alternatives.
The longevity of metal braces makes them an attractive choice for those seeking cost-efficient results that last.
Clear Braces
Clear braces offer a modern alternative to traditional metal braces for those looking to fix the gap between teeth.
Clear braces are made of plastic or ceramic brackets that attach to each tooth. These brackets are attached with a bonding system and customized archwire, which exerts gentle pressure onto the teeth over time to gradually move them into proper alignment. By leveraging a slow and precise process, clear braces can successfully close gaps in various areas around the mouth while maintaining your natural appearance throughout treatment.
As an added benefit, clear braces are also more hygienic and cause less irritation than metal braces since they don’t use the same friction when coming in contact with soft oral tissues.
See our article: Types of Invisible Braces.
Aligners
Aligners are an effective and convenient solution for closing the gap between teeth. Utilizing a series of removable, custom-fitted trays, applied in their prescribed order, aligners allow the teeth to be shifted into a more aesthetic alignment with minimal discomfort and without installing any permanent changes to the tooth or gum structure. The force applied by the aligner trays encourages the gums and tissues around the teeth to move as well, contributing to a more pleasing overall appearance.
Aligners also provide freedom from the brackets and wires of more traditional orthodontic braces which can be uncomfortable and difficult to maintain over long periods due to their bulky nature.
If care instructions are followed correctly, aligners will prove to be an advantageous solution to correcting gaps in teeth.
See our article: Can I Get Invisible Braces on the Bottom or Top Teeth Only?
Which Method is Better for Treating Gap Teeth – Aligners or Clear Braces?
Both clear braces and aligners offer advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to assess which option works better for each situation.
Clear braces are stronger than aligners and, as such, are usually recommended if the gap or overlap between teeth is significant. On the other hand, if the teeth need minimal adjustment, aligners are largely preferred because they can usually be removed when needed, when eating or drinking, and generally result in faster treatment time.
Invisible aligners offer a comfortable and efficient solution to the treatment of gaps in teeth and there is a range of products that offer affordable solutions to using them.
Here are some reviews of the best available invisible aligners:
NewSmile Review – A low-cost option that comes with premium aesthetics, a free retainer, and a tooth whitening kit.
SmileDirectClub Review – The most popular choice, this product has a lifetime guarantee and a free one-time replacement agreement. This aligner has the best 3D scanning process.
Byte Review – The best pick and the most affordable option. A lifetime guarantee for peace of mind and a free HyperBite and teeth whitening kit are on offer.
Candid Review – The most similar product to Invisalign Aligners this product has excellent reviews. Hybrid in-office care is offered too.
ALIGNERCO – The cheapest with a zero deposit option for monthly payment plans. A seasonal discount offer is in place on aligner packages at $945.
In all cases, a thorough consultation with an experienced orthodontist will help in determining the best method for a particular patient’s situation.
Can Invisalign or Clear Aligners Cause Gaps in Teeth?
Clear aligners can cause gaps between the teeth. This usually occurs when patients do not wear the aligner for the prescribed amount of time or follow their orthodontist’s instructions correctly.
The movement of the teeth may be too much for the teeth to handle and, over time, gaps can form. It is also possible that the aligners do not move at the same speed as your teeth so gaps can occur. To prevent this from happening, patients must continue wearing their aligners as instructed so they can get the most benefit out of their treatment without any side effects.
Additionally, following up with your orthodontist regularly is key to avoiding any negative effects on your teeth. With careful care and maintenance, you should not experience any gaps as a result of Invisalign or clear aligners treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Invisible Braces Fix Gap Teeth?
Invisible braces are an excellent solution for those looking to fix gap teeth without the uncomfortable and unappealing look of traditional metal braces. These clear and virtually undetectable solutions can correct the gap between teeth while allowing daily life and routines to go on with minimal disruption.
Which Braces are Best for Gap Teeth?
For minor issues, aligners are the best option, but for more extensive problems sticking with traditional metal braces is the best plan as you will need more pressure on the teeth that can not always be achieved with other teeth straightening methods.
How Long Do Aligners Take to Close Gap Teeth?
The time it takes to treat a gap in your teeth is dependent on how extreme the gap is but on average most people start to see a difference after three months of treatment with mild cases being resolved by six months. For more complex cases aligners may need to be worn for as much as eighteen months.
