Gap teeth are one of the most common reasons for people to seek orthodontic treatment. At Ross Orthodontics in Forest Lake and Hudson, we have a number of ways to provide treatment for this condition, but patients will need to understand what causes a gap to develop in the first place in order to get treatment that lasts.
If a gap (also called a diastema) between the front top incisors is the only problem, a general dentist may simply cover it up with veneers. However, it is often the case that the teeth are crooked or misaligned in some other way that would require repositioning. This can happen with the teeth are not large or numerous enough to take up space in the ridge of the mouth. Traditional braces and Invisalign can reposition the teeth, but it is necessary for the patient to wear a retainer afterward.
Gap teeth frequently occur along with overbites. When somebody is in the habit of sucking their thumb or pushing against their teeth with their tongue, the same forces that move the teeth outward also draw them apart. Tongue thrusting may be due to anxiety or difficulty swallowing, the latter of which requires attention from an ear, nose, and throat specialist. If the labial frenum, the strip of tissue connecting the inside of the upper lip to the jaw, is overly thick, it could also be pushing the top teeth apart.
To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit Smiles by Ross. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.
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