How Do Braces Close Gaps In Your Teeth

How Do Braces Close Gaps In Your Teeth

People may seek orthodontic care from an orthodontist like John Redmond, because it makes them feel insecure. Some people love their gaps, however, and do not seek help for them. Sometimes gapping, known formally as diastema, can cause other issues that may cause somebody to seek care for the gaps in their teeth.

Usually your primary care orthodontist will recommend braces to fix gapping—it may even be the only thing that you need braces for. The great news is, braces are an awesome choice when it comes to fixing gaps between your teeth. It’s one of braces basic functions; the tension of the wires on the brackets, which are attached to the teeth, pulls teeth together.

These options may be offered, re: braces to close gapping:

  • Metal braces.
  • Gold braces.
  • Invisalign.
  • Lingual braces.

Your preference matters, talk to your orthodontist about what would work best for you.

What Causes Gaps?

What causes gaps? That’s a grand question, and while we don’t have all the answers, we have a few answers. Sometimes you inherit your gaps. That’s right, genes can play a part in it. Your parents, or grandparents, or somebody you’ve never even met in your family may have had gaps. So you might too. Sometimes gaps are formed because of how your mouth is shaped. Inherited disorders that affect the jaw and teeth can also cause gaps. Thumb sucking, missing teeth, teeth which are crowded in your mouth, having teeth which are differently sized than the surrounding ones can cause gaps.

If you have gaps, and you’re insecure about it, seek out help from an orthodontist. If you have gaps and you just don’t care, awesome.

What Risks Do Gaps Pose?

Gaps can pose dental risks, and if your gaps do post a dental risk, seek care under an orthodontist that you trust. Most people focus on the aesthetics of having gapped teeth; it can look a little awkward, or sometimes it’s a trend. But gaps can damage your gums, did you know that? When you have a tooth gap, you have gum that is exposed. That means it can be damaged if you bite down too hard on something, or even if you get food stuck in your gap.

Braces can easily cover a gap between teeth such as spacing between your front teeth or the upper incisors. It can be a little harder when you have more than one tooth missing, or even if you want a gap closed because of a missing tooth. But it’s not impossible.

How Do Braces Close Gaps?

No matter the type of gap, whether you’ve had teeth removed, or you were just born with a gap, braces can close it. So braces essentially put pressure on your teeth and the bones supporting your teeth. This means, your teeth are going to yield to the pressure.

The power chain is an elastic band that is placed over the brackets where there is a gap. This means that the elasticity is placing more pressure over the gap than elsewhere in the mouth. You may also see coil springs used to help fix gaps, using the springy property.

Talk to your orthodontist about what will work best for your situation.