If you are looking to fix a gap in your teeth then you might not immediately think of dental crowns yet in many cases their versatility makes them the perfect option. For many people having gaps or excess spacing between teeth can cause confidence issues not to mention difficulty when eating and speaking so it pays to get the problem sorted.
Before we go into the whys and wherefores of fixing tooth gaps, it’s worth taking a closer look at what a dental crown actually is. So let’s do exactly that…
A dental crown is designed to sit over or ‘cap’ the visible part of a problem tooth, covering it in its entirety. The result is a restored smile that provides protection, support and full bite functionality to the tooth or teeth.
But how does it fix gaps?
Tooth gaps don’t have to be a problem when you have dental crowns as they can fix two types of tooth gaps in two different ways. Let’s take a look at each one in turn…
Slight tooth gap (diastema)
A diastema is a common problem. While it isn’t entirely clear what percentage of the worldwide population currently has a slight tooth gap, some studies suggest that it’s as much as 37%. While many people have grown to love their diastema – In some cultures it’s a symbol of attractiveness – others find it a problem. It’s this latter group that the installation of a dental crown can help.
The advantage of dental crowns, as opposed to orthodontic braces, is that crowns can be used to close tooth gaps without the need to physically move any teeth. This makes it a quick and effective solution.
So how does the process work?
When porcelain dental crowns are placed over the tooth or teeth on either side of the gap, they can be sized in accordance with the spacing associated with the gap. This gives the appearance of an even set of teeth with no apparent gapping.
Altering a diastema this way is an instant and cost-effective solution designed to fix a gap in teeth, restore a person’s smile and improve their overall quality of life.
Missing tooth gap
Missing teeth can cause problems that result in more than just an imperfect smile. The remaining teeth, for example, can start to migrate towards the gap causing bite misalignment while bone tissue that once supported the missing tooth root can start to erode resulting in an aged look and the potential for further tooth loss.
So how can a dental crown help?
In these instances, dental crowns are used in conjunction with either
- A dental bridge or
- A dental implant
With a dental bridge, for example, a series of dental crowns are used to fill the gap. A dental crown (known as the abutment crown) is placed on the two teeth on either side of the gap. This then supports the floating crown (known as the pontic tooth) which in essence plugs the missing tooth gap, thus completing the smile.
A dental implant, on the other hand, is a standalone restoration and the gold standard procedure when it comes to fixing a gap in teeth. The implant itself consists of a metal post or screw usually made from titanium which is inserted (implanted) directly into the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth. Once the implant has fully stabilised, a dental crown is placed on top to complete the restoration.
Advantages of a dental implant with a dental crown
There are key advantages for patients opting for an implant with a dental crown to fix a gap in teeth. Dental implants can not only restore full biting ability and aesthetics, but because a dental implant acts as a substitute tooth root, it restimulates any remaining bone tissue that may otherwise get reabsorbed back into the body. The result is no more bone loss!
What about the longevity of a dental crown?
We know that dental implants can last for many years but what about the dental crowns themselves? On average a dental crown can last for anywhere between 10 and 30 years depending upon where it’s positioned in the mouth and how much wear and tear it receives. This makes a dental crown the ideal long-term option to fix a gap in teeth.
Final thoughts
When it comes to fixing gaps in teeth, the great thing about dental crowns is that they can be custom designed to fit your natural gum line meaning that they blend in naturally with their surroundings. Crowns can be colour-matched to fit in with the rest of your teeth so no one need ever know that you’ve had dental work done unless you choose to tell them.
They’re proven, long-lasting and versatile and provide immediate restorative solutions that give you a real confidence boost. So whether the severity of the space is large or small, dental crowns provide a great step in the right direction.
Are you ready to improve your smile?
Talk to the team at No Gaps Dental about how dental crowns can fix gaps in teeth. We have 15 convenient locations spread across the Sydney Metro area and our experienced dentists are highly skilled in fitting lifelike and long-lasting dental crowns.
Schedule an appointment at your nearest No Gaps dental centre and find out how you can restore your smile to its former glory. Call us on (02) 8806 0227 today.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.