diastema

THE FRENUM, A THICK piece of tissue often found between the upper front teeth, may be responsible for your front tooth space. Your upper lip might even be attached with your thick frenum. This may be preventing you from smiling as big as you would like.

The Solution Is Simple

A thick frenum can be removed by laser or periodontal surgery. This procedure, called a frenectomy, is usually done by a periodontist (a gum and soft tissue dental specialist). Removal of your frenum is painless and relatively inexpensive. With a frenectomy and orthodontic treatment by braces or Invisalign, your orthodontic space can be held closed for a lifetime.

Keeping That Gap Closed

Following frenectomy, tooth space is held closed with either a removable or nonremovable retainer. With the aid of a bonded lingual retainer (inside tooth wire) your upper tooth space (diastema) may be gone forever.

Come visit us at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California and let us help you be free of your frenum. Call us at 925-757-9000 for a free orthodontic exam. Visit us at www.clubbraces.com.

Be free of your frenum and enjoy the smile of your dreams!

Top image by Flickr user Andy Eick used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

A SPACE BETWEEN front teeth is very common. It called a diastema. Diastemas are often caused by thick tissue between the front teeth. This skin keeps your teeth apart and is called a maxillary frenum. Thick frenums are often hereditary and can be common in families.

How Do You Correct A Diastema?

A diastema is easy to close with orthodontic treatment. Short-term treatment may be braces, Invisalign, aligners, or removal appliances. Additional therapies may be required for ideal cosmetic results after closing a diastema. These may include veneers, lumineers, composites, or crowns. Periodontal therapy for removal of tissue, a frenectomy or gingivectomy, is often needed to help the space stay closed permanently after closing a diastema.

We Ensure The Gap Stays Closed

Your orthodontist may place a wire behind your front teeth to insure that your diastema stays closed. This bonded lingual wire is a permanent retainer. Care must be given not to bite hard foods with your permanent retainer to prevent it from breaking.

If you have questions about tooth gap closure call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics (925) 757-9000 for a complimentary consultation. Find us at www.clubbraces.com. To find an orthodontist in your area visit the American Associaton of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.org.

Don't let a tooth gap keep you from smiling. Gap problem, no problem! Here's to your beautiful smile.

Top image by Flickr user Very Quiet used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

A GAP BETWEEN YOUR seven year old's front teeth may look cute at 7, but unless you're Madonna, it may not be wanted in adolescence or adulthood. To prepare for your child's future, many 7 year olds have their gap closed by orthodontic treatment.

A gap, or diastema, is common at age 7 when half baby teeth and half permanent teeth are present. Orthodontic treatment at age 7 is called Phase 1 Orthodontic Treatment. It is treatment of half permanent teeth. Additional Phase 2 treatment of all permanent teeth may be needed at age 12.

If a diastema is larger than 2mm, it will not close on it's own. Your orthodontist can help to close this space and get your 7 year old's teeth looking beautiful.

A diastema is often caused by a thick frenum, a piece of skin between the front teeth. Frenums are often hereditary in families. The frenum is best removed once the diastema is closed. The space will be held closed by a wire on the back side of the front teeth.

A periodontist, or gum specialist, will remove your child's frenum to make space closure permanent. Frenum removal is done AFTER the space is closed by your orthodontist.

If you have questions about your child's diastema or frenum, Orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca and Gorczyca Orthodontics can help. Call us at (925) 757-9000 or visit us at www.clubbraces.com.