Causes of Gapped Teeth

Are you frustrated with a gap-toothed grin? If so, the doctors of Vista Dental in Medicine Hat are here to help with a variety of cosmetic and orthodontic treatments. But in order to treat a gap, which is scientifically called a diastema, it is necessary to determine what caused it. This article focuses on gaps between the upper front incisors.

Much of the time, there is simply extra room for teeth, so they don’t close together. In these cases, we can provide correction with the Invisalign series of invisible orthodontic devices. We can also simply close the gap with veneers. However, there may also be some force that is pushing the teeth apart. The labial frenum is the vertical strip of tissue that connects the inside of the upper lip to the jaw. If it is overly thick, it may prevent the front teeth from coming together. If the patient has a habit such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, this may also undo orthodontic or cosmetic correction. Tongue thrusting as a nervous tick may require psychological treatment, while tongue thrusting due to swallowing or breathing difficulty may require the assistance of an ear, nose, and throat doctor.

Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit Vista Dental MH.

 

Caring for Invisalign

Vista Dental offers Invisalign, the clear aligner system that straightens teeth without the metallic look of braces. Another perk of Invisalign clear aligners is that they require less maintenance and won’t prevent you from eating certain foods.  Although you won’t have to make too many changes, there are still guidelines you should follow to wear and care for your aligners.  You should remove Invisalign each time you eat, but if you do eat anything while wearing the aligners make sure to clean them thoroughly afterwards. It is also best to brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in.  Ideally when wearing clear aligners, you would only drink water. Colorful drinks can stain the aligners and too many hot drinks can eventually warp the plastic.  If you do drink anything other than water while wearing the aligners you should rinse them with warm water afterwards. 

Cleaning the clear aligners regularly is important for your teeth and straightening treatment.  Clear aligners can become discolored over time without losing their effectiveness, but the color can show on your own teeth and continue to darken.  Invisalign offers its own brand of cleaning solution, and there are several soaking solutions available over the counter, but brushing the aligners is also a sufficient cleaning option.  Do not use toothpaste to brush the aligners because subtle abrasive properties of toothpaste could harm the aligner.  It is best to use mild dish soap and a soft bristle brush to clean the aligners each time you brush your teeth.

To learn more about Invisalign and all the services we provide, visit VistaDentalMH.Ca for more information. To schedule an appointment at Vista Dental, located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada, call 403-548-7077.

Invisalign

Vista Dental aims to give every patient a great smile, and Invisalign is one product that helps us do so.   Invisalign is the invisible alternative to traditional braces for adults and teens. An Invisalign treatment plan consists of a series of clear, removable plastic aligners that are custom-made for your teeth, and a typical treatment plan can be completed in less than a year.  Invisalign is recommended to correct mild to moderate spacing or crowding of the teeth.  Any severe misalignment may require another method so always consult your dentist. 

To straighten your teeth with Invisalign, we begin with an examination. A dentist can determine if Invisalign will be effective in achieving the smile you want. Impressions or scans of your teeth are used to create a full set of aligners customized to your teeth and your treatment plan. Each set of aligners is worn for about two weeks, depending on your individual treatment plan.  The aligners should be worn at least 20 hours a day. You should remove the aligners to eat, and to brush and floss.

To learn more about Invisalign and all the services we provide, visit VistaDentalMH.Ca for more information. To schedule an appointment at Vista Dental, located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada, call 403-548-7077.