Smile Prep

Teeth spacing is a condition characterized by several visible gaps throughout the dental arches. Technically called “diastemas”, gaps between teeth are most often harmless, but can occasionally cause gum problems, difficulty chewing, or other uncomfortable complications. Additionally, some people with spacing issues say they’d be happier with their smile if their teeth were properly aligned.

If the gaps in your smile are causing you any type of discomfort, you may be considering corrective treatment with braces. Nowadays, there are several types of braces and alternative alignment methods for adults seeking to discreetly realign their teeth, each with its own set of unique advantages. In this guide, we’ll dive into the details of correcting teeth spacing with braces, the various types of braces that exist today, and some alternative options if braces aren’t the right fit for you.

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Tooth gap, or diastema, is a dental condition characterized by a gap between two teeth. The most common form is midline diastema, which affects the front two teeth alone, but diastema can actually occur anywhere in the dental arches. Although the name sounds somewhat serious, diastema is typically a totally harmless condition that rarely requires medical intervention.

That said, if your tooth gap bothers you for cosmetic reasons or is causing you any type of physical discomfort, you’re in luck — it’s quite easy to correct. Braces, or even much less invasive dental appliances like invisible aligners, are well-equipped to close gaps between the teeth in no time. With this in mind, let’s dive into the details of correcting diastema with braces, the various types of braces that exist today, and some alternative options if braces aren’t the right fit for you.

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Overjet is a type of misalignment in which the upper teeth extend horizontally past the lower teeth. This dental condition is often confused with overbite (which refers to a vertical overlapping of the lower teeth), and for good reason — the two often exist in parallel. While neither condition is a serious medical concern, each can cause jaw pain, headaches, impaired speech, or lack of total confidence with one’s physical appearance.

Luckily, if you’re experiencing any form of discomfort with your overjet, there’s a range of effective treatment options for people of all ages — and braces typically top the list. In this guide, we’ll get into the details of treating overjet with braces, the different styles of braces that exist today, and finally, some alternative treatment options if braces aren’t the right fit for you.

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Teeth crowding refers to a condition in which neighboring teeth overlap one another to some degree, creating a crooked appearance in the dental arch(es). In many cases, crowding is caused by a discrepancy between the size of the jaw and teeth, while in others it’s the result of teeth simply growing in displaced or improperly rotated. Although very common and often harmless, crowded teeth can get in the way of successful flossing and brushing, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease down the road.

Medical concerns aside, though, some people with crowded teeth say they’re not as comfortable with their smile, which is reason enough to consider corrective treatment. Fortunately, many treatment options are available for teeth crowding, and braces are one of the most commonly-recommended methods for adults. In this guide, we’ll dive into the details of correcting teeth crowding with braces, the various types of braces that exist today, and some alternative options if braces aren’t the right fit for you.

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