Diastema Treatment- Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Diastema refers to an opening or a gap, a space to be precise, between the teeth. Diastema can occur anywhere inside the mouth. However, it is the most visible when it occurs between two teeth in the upper row. This condition can be observed in people of all ages. In children, a diastema may disappear on its own when the permanent teeth come out. Some of the gaps are quite small and some are not even noticeable with bare eyes.

There are a number of factors that can cause diastema. It may occur because a person has too small teeth in comparison to his/her jaw bone. Because of this, the teeth get spaced far apart. A person may develop diastema if there an outgrowth develops from the from the tissue bordering the gum line and the two front teeth in the upper row. Excess thumb-sucking in childhood, improper swallowing reflexes, gum disease can also be the causes of diastema in different people.

The most common treatment options for diastema are - braces, invisalign, dental implants, dental bondings, dental veneers and dental crowns. If diastema is the result of severe gum disease in a person, then he/she may even require surgery to get the condition fixed.

There is more than one treatment option that can cure diastema -

Braces: A person with diastema may have to wear braces for a year to a few years and the timeframe depends on the severity of the condition. Braces ensure that the teeth get pulled into place, thus rearranging the teeth into a straighter and a seemingly perfect alignment.

Invisalign: If someone has a severe diastema, that person may benefit from Invisalign which is a removable orthodontic treatment. Invisalign eliminates the spaces by straightening the teeth. If the person does not wear the Invisalign trays for the recommended period time, chances are that the diastema will remain.

Dental Implants: If the size of the diastema is same as that of a whole tooth or if the diastema is the result of a missing tooth, dental implant is the most feasible solution. The implants are titanium posts that are inserted surgically into the at the spot where the tooth is missing. The jawbone bonds with titanium and creates a strong foundation on which the artificial teeth settle.

Dental Bonding: It is an affordable cosmetic solution that closes the gap between two adjacent teeth and also fixes cracked or chipped teeth.

Dental Veneer: Veneer is a custom-made solution for each and every individual for the perfect look and fit. For eliminating the gap between two teeth, veneers are the tools that widen the teeth and thus create a flawless smile.

Dental Crown: Dental crown is used for covering damaged teeth. Dental crowns are also made to fit around gapped teeth for creating a seamless smile.

There might be a few side effects like after diastema closure -

Bleeding: This is a side effect that usually follows a treatment course for diastema for the first few days. However, it's nothing serious and can be stopped manually.

Swelling: The part of the face that is the closest to the surgical site remains swollen for a day or two after a surgical procedure. It is only normal and can be reduced by alternatively applying and cold and heat packs.

Numbness: You may feel numbness in your gums, tongue and lips for a few hours after surgery due to the use of long-acting local anesthetics during the procedure.

The time of recovery depends what kind of diastema closure treatment time course followed. If a person gets braces, it may take from 6 months to even a few years for the gap to get closed. If a person has surgery for some underlying gum condition, then it will take him/her from 2 weeks to a month for the condition to get fixed. Dental implants, dental crowns take a few days for the person to recover.

The price of the diastema closure depends on the particular course followed. The cost of dental filling may vary from Rs.500-Rs.2000 per tooth. Dental veneers cost around Rs.6000 or more per tooth and dental crowns can cost from Rs.8000-Rs.15000 per tooth. Braces can cost around Rs.20000 or more and the cost of any other orthodontic treatment like surgery may cost from Rs.25000 to even a lakh.

Again, this depends on the particular course of treatment followed. If the patient had surgery, then it is most likely that the results would be there as long he/she lives. However, that is not the case with some of the other treatment plans. Dental fillings last for close to 5 years and the procedure has to be performed again after that timeframe. Dental veneers last a little longer, for about 7-15 years depending on how much force or trauma it experiences after the procedure.