How to Correct Gaps in Teeth

Dentists refer to any gap between two teeth as a "diastema." Generally speaking, gaps in the teeth do not pose any dental health issues; however, they do affect the self-esteem of many people. If you are unhappy about a gap in your teeth, there are several dental procedures that can correct the problem.

Instructions

• 1

  Contact your dentist and make an appointment.

• 2

  Discuss with the dentist your options, such as tooth bonding, veneers and braces. Tooth bonding involves dental bonding being placed on the two teeth on either side of the gap to reduce its overall width. Veneers are porcelain tooth plates that are custom made to fit over a tooth. When using veneers to close a gap, the plates are made slightly wider than the actual teen. Braces consist of a metal, plastic and/or a porcelain band that is placed along the entire top and/or bottom row of teeth. They are worn for several months or years to gradually realign the teeth or push them together.

• 3

  Ask your dentist many questions. For example, how natural will the final product look, what maintenance will be required, how many appointments will the procedure involve, what will it feel like, how long will the results last and how much will each procedure cost. You may also want to request before and after pictures from the various procedures and ask your dentist to explain to pros and cons of each option.

• 4

  Make a second appointment with your dentist to perform the desired procedure. Keep in mind, some procedures may require two or more visits.