166 Dong Van Cong St, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam (Next to The Vista VERDE Appartment)

If your teeth are gapped and affect the aesthetics of your smile, making you feel less confident when speaking or smiling, visit a dentist. There are many methods to fix gapped teeth, including braces, dental fillings, porcelain veneers, crowns, or dental implants. Among these, filling gapped teeth is often chosen because it is relatively simple, reasonably priced, and still delivers effective results.

Can gaps between teeth be filled?

What are gapped teeth? The effects of gapped teeth

Gapped teeth refer to the condition where a space appears between two teeth, which can occur at any position in the dental arch. However, this condition is most commonly seen between the two upper front teeth. Having gapped teeth not only affects aesthetics but also leads to long-term issues. Therefore, filling gapped teeth should be done immediately because:

  • Gapped teeth affect the jawbone structure, making bite misalignment inevitable. This can lead to bone frame deformation, altering the facial appearance.
  • Gapped teeth make it easier for food to get trapped, creating a favorable environment for bacteria to grow, leading to issues like tooth decay, periodontitis, gingivitis, and bad breath.
  • Gapped teeth can impact pronunciation, causing difficulties in learning foreign languages.
  • Gapped teeth result in improper bite function, leading to pain or causing chips and fractures in the teeth.

Causes of gapped teeth

Gapped teeth refer to visible spaces between two teeth. There are several reasons why this condition may occur, such as:

  • A mismatch between the size of the teeth and the jawbone (one being too small or too large), leading to gaps or overcrowding.
  • Missing teeth or teeth that are too small can cause surrounding teeth to shift and fill the gap. However, this movement often creates new gaps in the dental arch.
  • An oversized labial frenum, a tissue band connecting the inside of the upper lip to the gums, can create a gap between two teeth.
  • Bad habits like thumb sucking or pulling the front teeth forward can create spaces between teeth.
  • Incorrect swallowing reflexes. Normally, the tongue presses against the roof of the mouth when swallowing, but some people push their tongue against the front teeth. Over time, this pressure causes the front teeth to shift, creating gaps.
  • Gum disease weakens and erodes the jawbone. Bone loss can lead to loose and misaligned teeth.

Methods to treat gapped teeth

Dental fillings

Composite fillings improve the condition of gapped teeth 
Composite fillings improve the condition of gapped teeth 

This method is suitable for cases with small gaps between teeth. The dentist uses an artificial filling material to attach to the tooth surface, making the tooth appear larger and filling the gap. Composite material is commonly used for gapped teeth fillings because it closely matches the natural tooth color and is flexible, allowing for easy shaping.

However, this method is not ideal for teeth with large gaps, as a large filling may affect the aesthetics of the smile. Additionally, the lifespan of a filling is only about 2–3 years, requiring it to be replaced periodically.

Porcelain crowns

Veneer application results for improving gapped teeth at The East Rose Dental Clinic
Veneer application results for improving gapped teeth at The East Rose Dental Clinic

For cases with significant gaps, porcelain crowns are a more optimal solution. A porcelain crown is placed over the tooth's core, covering and correcting the imperfections caused by gapped teeth. The lifespan of porcelain crowns is much longer than fillings, lasting between 10–25 years, or even a lifetime if the crowns are of high quality and well-maintained.

The major drawback of this method is that a portion of the natural tooth must be ground down to fit the crown, which can weaken the tooth's overall health.

Read more: What are porcelain crown? How many types are there? How much does it cost?

Braces

Braces are the most effective and safest method for treating gapped teeth, whether the gaps are small or large, with results guaranteed to be permanent. This technique uses orthodontic devices to gradually move the teeth closer together without requiring grinding or altering the natural teeth.

The biggest drawback of braces is the time required, which may be an issue if you want quick results. On average, it takes at least one year to see noticeable improvements, though this timeline can vary depending on age, dental condition, and the severity of the gaps.

Read more: 10 common issues with braces and their effective solutions

Advantages of filling gapped teeth

Benefits of the dental filling method for gapped teeth
Benefits of the dental filling method for gapped teeth

In general, filling gapped teeth remains one of the most popular methods due to:

  • No need to grind the teeth, as the filling is bonded directly to the natural tooth surface. Therefore, it does not affect the health of the tooth.
  • Quick procedure, taking only about 15–20 minutes in a single appointment.
  • More affordable compared to other methods.

Who can undergo dental fillings for gapped teeth?

Dental fillings can help close the gap between two teeth but cannot replace other dental treatments. According to the National Institutes of Health, some people with gapped teeth may not be able to address the issue solely with fillings.

If there are other dental problems, such as misaligned teeth or an abnormal bite, additional treatments may be needed to correct the issue.

If the only issue is gapped teeth, a standard filling procedure may be sufficient to restore your confidence in your smile. Your dentist will thoroughly examine your oral health to determine the most suitable treatment method.

How much does it cost to fill gapped teeth?

The cost of aesthetic dental fillings can vary depending on the specific case. At The East Rose Dental Clinic, with a team of experienced dentists and a well-equipped facility with high-quality instruments, you can expect a safe and effective filling procedure that provides long-lasting results.


 

 

For dental checkup & consultation with dentist at The East Rose Dental

The East Rose Dental – Since 2000 – Top 2nd - All On 4 Vietnam

➮ Clinic District 2:  166 Dong Van Cong, Thanh My Loi Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City (adjacent to Vista Verde apartment).
➮ Clinic District 1: 30-36, 2nd floor Phan Boi Chau, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (at the East Gate of Ben Thanh Market).

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