They can be sexy, mischievous, playful, or just flat out beautiful. For others, they’re an imperfection that begs to be corrected. There’s no in-between—for every person with them who would like to get rid of them, there’s someone who says they can’t live a day without them.
We are talking about gap teeth and the men and women who are lucky (or unlucky, depending on one’s perspective) to meet the world each day with that glorious space between their front teeth.
Treatments for gap teeth in Suffolk County
There is no right or wrong choice here. Gap teeth or diastema is a correctable “imperfection” if someone so chooses. It is usually caused by a mismatch between the size of the jaw bones and the size of the teeth which can cause either extra space between teeth or crowding of teeth. If the teeth are too small for the jaw bone, space or the “gap” between the teeth will occur. If the teeth are too big for the jaw, overcrowding is a problem. Experienced Long Island cosmetic dentists Dr. Nick and Dr. Elliott have various techniques to close your gap toothed smile, and can show you what combinations of treatments can make your smile look and function the best.
Celebrities with gap teeth
Are gap teeth the rare dental exception? If a look down a list of noteworthy celebrities with gap teeth is any indication, they seem as common as can be. Actresses from Anna Paquin to Brigitte Bardot, singers like Madonna, Elton John, Seal, the bass player Flea, 50 Cent, and Ray Davies from the Kinks all happily embrace their “gap-dom.” Supermodels like the Sudanese Alex Wek, Vanessa Paradis, Mick’s daughter Georgia May Jagger, Lara Stone, and Lindsey Wixson would never switch to a cosmetically perfect smile.
Speaking of supermodels, who doesn’t find 28-time Vogue cover girl Lauren Hutton’s gap toothed smile as perfectly imperfect as any smile can ever be? Ms. Hutton was actually the lead in the delightful Les Blank short film “Gap-Toothed Women” in which she roams the streets of New York City looking for other gap-toothed women to appear with her in the film.
Toss Michael Strahan (and his BIG gap), David Letterman (another prominent gap), Elvis Costello, baseball player Jimmy Rollins, singer Bobby Brown, and even former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice into the mix and you have a tiny sampling of the who’s who of proud gap-toothed owners.
Long Island cosmetic dentists treat gap teeth
Dr. Nick and Dr. Elliott may suggest Invisalign to close gaps between teeth. These clear plastic aligners are a hassle-free and convenient way to achieve a beautiful smile in less than a year.
Bonding, crowns and porcelain veneers can be cost-effective solutions for too small teeth by enlarging the incisors so the gap disappears.
For children who have a gap, it may be caused by tongue thrusting or other structural issues. If so, Dr. Nick and Dr. Elliott can provide answers and treatment plans for the gap to close on its own.
And if gum disease has caused the gap, periodontal treatment may be necessary to restore gum health. Once the gums are healthy, braces can be used to move the teeth into place.
Call Dr. Nick and Dr. Elliot, the Suffolk County dentists of Long Island Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry at 631-246-4992 to discuss your gap-toothed smile. During a private consultation, they’ll go over the various cosmetic dentistry options available as well as affordable payment options for our clients.
