Is a gap between your top front teeth giving you anxiety or causing you to whistle? If so, you can count on the expertise of the doctors at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach for help. There are a few different ways to fix gap teeth, but which way is best depends on the gap’s cause.
Most often, the teeth are slightly jumbled or otherwise out of place. By using the Clear Correct system of invisible aligners available in our office, we can gently guide teeth into a more desirable position. The result will last for as long as patients remember to wear their retainers at night. More severe misalignment problems may require referral to an orthodontist, but a small gap can simply be covered with veneers. Our office offers these artificial fronts for teeth which can be used to cover discoloration, as well as to slightly change the teeth’s shape.
However, if the gap is being caused by a behavior such as tongue thrusting or thumb sucking, that behavior must be stopped to ensure long-term dental health. Tongue thrusting as a swallowing reflex may require assistance from an ear, nose, and throat doctor to fix. Patients may also require referral to an oral surgeon if the gap is being caused by an overly large labial frenum, which is what connects the inside of the upper lip to the jaw. Once it’s been reduced, orthodontic work can proceed.
Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.
