The internet went into collective mourning when they realised that Dakota Johnson, who once delighted put putting a credit card in her tooth gap, has had said gap closed. Or rather, according to her rep, the gap closed 'naturally' after her permanent retainer was removed.
Other famously beautiful women, including Georgia May Jagger, have been made famous by theirs, and a few years ago they were so popular that an America's Next Top Model contestant had hers widened artificially (yes, really).
So we decided to find out what the deal is with tooth gaps. We spoke to Dr Amanda Naylor from the Dental Rooms about the tooth gap phenomenon.
Are people having their gaps closed more often?
Overcrowding and spacing are both common issues, and with the increased popularity of selfies, Instagram and social media in general, patients are becoming much more aware – and conscious – of irregularities in their smiles.
How hard is it to close a tooth gap?
There are a number of ways to close a tooth gap. One way involves moving the teeth themselves, which is done through orthodontic treatment, for example braces. This can provide fantastic results without damaging or removing healthy tooth tissue. It does involve a degree of commitment as treatment can take many months. There are now a number of orthodontic systems which are not the traditional “train-tracks” that many of us associate with awkward teenage years! These options are aesthetically more discreet and often barely noticeable. We have seen a huge increase in demand for these clear aligners.
Another way to close gaps is to add to the teeth using either white composite fillings or porcelain veneers.
It is important to note that the while white composite fillings are usually more conservative of the precious enamel layer and require little or no preparation of the tooth surface, they usually need a degree of maintenance long term. Porcelain veneers require preparation of the tooth surface, removing a small amount of enamel and require less maintenance than the composite bonded fillings.
Can you whiten teeth after you close a gap?
The restorations mentioned above, which are used to close spaces between the teeth are made of materials that will not respond to tooth whitening. Therefore, if a patient is considering whitening their teeth in the near future, we would recommend that they do this before commencing restorative treatment, this enables us to then match the whiter shade exactly when placing these restorations, thus minimising the need for further treatment later on.
It is important to mention that each individual would require a consultation to determine the most suitable treatment option for their needs, and some may opt for a combination of treatments mentioned above to correct the position as well as shape of their teeth. A treatment such as white bonded fillings can even be done in one visit when appropriate!
How difficult is it to make a tooth gap?
Some people have a natural tooth gap between the upper central incisors and this is called a “Midline Diastema”. Creating a tooth gap would usually require removal of the strong healthy outer layer of enamel. The purpose of this enamel is to protect the tooth from damage, hence it’s removal may cause the need for further treatment at a later date.
Is it dangerous to create a tooth gap, or to close one?
As mentioned earlier, it is really important to emphasise that each individual would require a dental consultation to determine which options are most suitable for their needs. Creating gaps by the removal of healthy enamel is not recommended. In contrast the treatments to close gaps usually carry minimal risk and can often even help the patient to prevent food-trapping thus improving their oral hygiene. The results can also have a huge impact on an individual’s confidence as they feel more relaxed and proud of their new smile