By Arthur Kezian

If you didn’t go to dental school, then you’ve probably never heard of a diastema. However, it can make you feel awfully insecure about your smile until you see a dentist.

So, what is it?

Saying you have a diastema is a fancy way of saying that you have a gap in between your teeth.  Lots of times, diastemas will pop up in between your two front teeth, but these gaps can occur anywhere.

Where do diastemas come from?

In some cases, they’re a byproduct of genetics.  If your jaw is too big for your teeth, your teeth may spread apart to cover all of that excess space. Diastemas can also be caused by tissue problems.  If your labial frenum is too big — that’s the tissue in between your gum and the inside of your lip — it can create extra space in between your teeth. In addition to genetics, there’s something you can do to cause a diastema all on your own — tongue thrusting.  If you thrust your tongue frequently enough, it can force your teeth apart. No matter what they’re caused by, diastemas can make you reluctant to smile in pictures or to speak up at a business meeting!

So, how do you get rid of them?

Years ago, the only way to fix diastemas was to wear braces for a couple of years and gradually move your teeth closer together.  Talk about feeling insecure about your smile — especially if you’re an adult! Luckily, your dentist can get rid of your diastemas in just a couple of appointments!

How?

If your diastema is very small — as in, less than 1 mm — your dentist might be able to get away with using a special bonding material to plug the gap.

However, veneers are one of the most popular options for covering up diastemas.  These thin pieces of porcelain fit right over the front of your teeth.  Once your cosmetic dentist in LA cements them in place, your veneers can cover up any gaps!  As an added benefit, veneers can make your teeth look whiter, straighter, and even longer.  It’s like getting a makeover for your smile!

Another option is to use crowns.  Like veneers, crowns can cover up your diastemas.  But unlike veneers, crowns go over your entire tooth — almost like a little cap.

If an oversized labial frenum is to blame, the treatment is a little trickier — but you’ll still be able to get rid of your diastemas.  To do it, your dentist will have to start by performing surgery on the area.  Then, he can use veneers or crowns to completely cover up the gap and perfect your smile.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777