Diastema, That is, the gap between the upper ones, you may or may not like it. It is not for us to judge. As dentists, however, we know when a diastema is dangerous to dental health. The most important thing is that we can get rid of it then. We can also mask it if it does not add beauty. Here we take into account the general principles of smile aesthetics and the individual expectations of patients. What are the ways to treat diastema?
Let’s agree that today on the blog we write about diastema in adults. We leave alone the physiological diastema, which appears in children during the growth of permanent incisors and canines, and then disappears.
True and alleged diastema
In adults, diastema can have various causes. It happens that the gap between the ones is due to the lack of lateral incisors in the smile (hypodontia of twos). This leads to the separation of the ones, which have too much space for themselves. Teeth can also be physiologically too small, this is called microdontia. Then a diastema may also form between the ones or a gap in all the incisors. All the cases described above, however, are pseudodiastemas . Because the real one results from hypertrophy of the frenulum of the upper lip, which leads to the separation of the ones. The gap between the ones is also often an element of a general malocclusion. What can we do then?
Diastema and braces
When the diastema is associated with malocclusion, widens as a result of incorrect habits and threatens the health of the teeth, the most sensible thing to do is to put on braces to tidy up the bite. Especially since the diastema, which is small and cute at first, can widen over time and cause loosening of the teeth. Too wide a diastema, in turn, even means the risk of losing ones. Orthodontic braces, first of all, organize the bite and align the teeth in the most durable and comprehensive way. Ones gain stability and are no longer at risk of falling out.
When to have veneers for diastema?
However, if the diastema is only an aesthetic problem, not resulting from malocclusion, then we can actually use veneers. Porcelain or composite overlays will perfectly mask the gap between the ones.
Composite veneers – the fastest way to get a diastema
If you’re not sure if you’ll look better, you can start with composite veneers that don’t require interference with the enamel. If you change your mind, you can always go back to diastema. Another advantage is that composite veneers are the fastest way to get rid of diastema. The doctor creates them directly in the oral cavity, and the entire procedure takes place during one visit. You just enter us with a diastema and leave Stomo Clinic without a gap between the ones. Sometimes a composite restoration is enough to cover the veneers, which does not cover the entire facing surface, as in the case below.
Veneers or composite reconstructions should first of all be cleaned like the entire dentition, reporting for hygienization every 6 months. Then we also polish the composite to make it as smooth and resistant to discoloration as possible. On average, composite veneers are replaced every 3-4 years.
Diastema and porcelain veneers
If you decide on a premium solution, we will offer you porcelain veneers, which also perfectly mask the diastema. They require several visits, but the effect you achieve is the most aesthetic solution in dentistry. Porcelain most faithfully imitates the features of natural dentition, and the ones play the first fiddle in the smile. As a rule, porcelain veneers are also more aesthetic and durable, as they serve the patient for about 8-10 years. After this time, however, they lose their aesthetics and, taking into account the beauty of the smile – it is worth replacing them with new ones.
