Key Takeaway:
For temporary quick fixes you can go for dental bonding or veneers. However, get the latest form of braces from any of the types we have listed in this guide for permanent results.
Having a gap in your front teeth is a sign of good luck, so have you found any luck yet? It’s a common belief in many cultures that gapped teeth bring good luck and success, but honestly, all we have seen is that people struggle to smile and avoid friends to steer clear of uncomfortable comments.
On the contrary, we have also seen mixed reviews about gapped teeth. For instance, some find it so attractive that they don’t even attempt fixing them. Even celebrities like Anna Paquin, Elijah Wood, Uzo Aduba, and many others decided to skip this route.
If you fall into the first category and never get used to your gapped teeth and want to fix them ASAP, here is a guide to how to close the gap in your teeth in the easiest way possible.
How to Close the Gap in your Teeth without Braces?
Fortunately, not all gaps in the teeth require braces for fixing. Initially, the dentist examines your teeth and tries to come up with possible solutions to align them. Following, we have listed effective solutions that don’t require braces to close the gap.
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Dental Implants:
Gap teeth often result from a chipped or crooked tooth, and the best way to fill this kind of gap is by using dental implants.
In this procedure, titanium screws are inserted into the jawbone, which is an artificial tooth root. Then it is topped with a dental crown as a final step.
Dental implants may sound scary, but in reality, they are not. Your dentist will administer strong anesthesia before performing the procedure so that you don’t feel the pain.
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Dental Crowns:
Many confuse dental crowns with dental implants, as both procedures involve placing an artificial tooth to close the gap.
In dental crowns, the dentist attaches an artificial porcelain tooth on top of the crooked or chipped tooth to cover the broken part and provide you with a flawless smile.
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Dental Bonding:
Dental bonding is another way to close the gap between teeth and highly recommend by dentists. In dental bonding, the dentist will close the gaps by filling them with a tooth-colored material, making it look seamless and smooth.
Another benefit of this treatment is that it makes your teeth fuller and brighter, especially for people with small or narrow teeth.
Dental bonding is a quick solution to close the gap between the teeth and is more affordable than other alternatives. However, it is not an excellent option for those who already have wider teeth.
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Invisalign:
If you are looking for a permanent solution without getting braces, Invisalign would be your best choice. It is a treatment similar to braces but more effective and seamless.
Invisalign treatment involves using transparent aligners that gradually move the teeth to close the gap. Those who don’t like traditional metal unsightly braces can go for this option. It improves your natural teeth' shape and fixes the unsightly spaces to give you a fuller-looking smile.
With Invisalign aligners, you must comply with the guidelines of wearing them for a minimum of 20 to 22 hours daily.
How to Close the Gap in your Teeth with Braces?
When there are large gaps in your teeth that are difficult to close with bonding, veneers, or crowns, the dentist suggests going for traditional braces. However, nowadays, braces come in different types, each having a different fixing duration and method.
Let’s dig into different types of braces to close the gap between your teeth.
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Metal Braces:
Traditional metal braces have been used to close the gap for more than 100 years now. While the older ones used to be bulkier and more noticeable, the improved form of metal braces nowadays is lighter, more comfortable, and shows results faster.
The metal braces, connected with a wire are applied to your teeth and must be adjusted after every 4 to 8 weeks.
They are unremovable unless it’s after the fulfillment of their purpose, and take a minimum of a year or two to show good results.
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Ceramic Braces:
As their name suggests, they comprise tooth-colored ceramics and are less noticeable than metal ones. This type is more prevalent among people who don’t like Invisalign or traditional braces but at the same time want permanent results like them.
Apart from their aesthetic benefits, they are more affordable than the previously discussed metal braces. If you have to say one downside about them, it would be that they get stained pretty quickly, depending on your diet.
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Lingual Braces:
Lingual braces are less common than other types of braces as they need specialized skills for application. Very few dentists have these braces available as they are pretty tricky to work with.
If we talk about what makes these braces different from the rest, we would say it’s their unique way of application. Unlike regular braces, they are fitted on the backside of the teeth, making them fully invisible.
While they are aesthetically pleasing, very few people go for them as they can irritate the tongue and cause slight changes in your speech in the first few months. However, with time, you get accustomed to them.
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Self-ligating Braces:
Self-ligating braces can be considered a cross of ceramic and metal braces as they bear the qualities of both. Like metal braces, they require a wire to get fixed to your teeth but are not too hard on them. They work best for patients with sensitivity issues. Moreover, they are easier to clean and have almost the same effectiveness as other braces.
Conclusion
Interestingly, the best and most effective way to close the gap in your teeth takes the longest time. While braces may sound like a conservative approach to closing the gap, they are indeed the best and show lifetime-lasting results.
If you have gap teeth, consult your dentist. After a thorough examination, they will let you know the best way to fix your teeth using the latest technologies.