Causes of Gap Teeth

Are you tired of your gap-toothed grin? At Enid Dental Care, we provide orthodontic treatment for major as well as cosmetic tooth alignment issues. We can help close a diastema, or gap between teeth, but treatments may vary depending on other bite issues.

A small gap could be covered with veneers. These porcelain shells are cemented to the front of teeth and can be deliberately made somewhat larger than the natural tooth in order to cover gaps and chips. They also mask cracks and stains. When the teeth are slightly jumbled, the Invisalign brand of clear, removable aligners we offer can move them into positions that are healthier, as well as more aesthetically pleasing. Enid Dental Care also offers traditional braces for people with problems such as overbites which require more intensive orthodontic correction.

Sometimes, a diastema in the top front teeth is not just due to teeth coming in misaligned. There is a strand of tissue on the inside of the upper lip called the labial frenum which links it to the jaw bone, and when it is too thick, it can prevent the teeth from coming together. It must be thinned surgically. Tongue thrusting during swallowing and thumb-sucking can also result in an overbite and gap teeth. These may require coordination with other specialists, such as ear-nose-and-throat doctors, to fix.

Dr. Dennis Morehart, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit Enid Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Vertical Dimension Loss

As a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, Dr. Dennis Morehart of Enid is has experience treating some of the most complicated oral health problems. In people who are missing several teeth, the loss of vertical dimension in the face poses a threat to their appearance, comfort, and overall quality of life. It can even lead to bite collapse, which is why we want our patients to know more about it.

The teeth help to stabilize the jaw bones. When tooth roots are removed, the tissue from the jaw bone dissolves, and the face shrinks. This causes wrinkles to develop in the skin in between the nose and the mouth and makes the lower part of their heads look disproportionately small. It can also trigger temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD), resulting in pain throughout the jaw, head, neck, and shoulders. If the back teeth are missing, patients may attempt to chew with their incisors, causing the front teeth to be pushed horizontal and causing misalignment problems as well as loss of vertical dimension.

There are a few options for preventing or repairing this. When a full set of dentures are fabricated, dentists take care to match the height of the artificial crowns to the patient’s needs. The temporary dentures worn as part of the treatment help to ensure the crown size is correct. If larger implants are being used to secure dental bridges, the patient may have additional jaw bone material grafted on by a surgeon.

Dr. Dennis Morehart, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit Enid Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Intrinsic Stains

At Enid Dental Care, Dr. Dennis Morehart gives high priority to patients’ cosmetic concerns. Most tooth stains are extrinsic, meaning that they only extend to the outermost layers of the teeth. But for intrinsic stains, a root canal may be necessary to restore the appearance of a patient’s smile.

Extrinsic stains are acquired from factors such as smoking and drinking dark liquids and can usually be reversed through bleaching. Intrinsic stains, though they can be masked with veneers and bonding, affect the teeth at a deeper level. Some common causes of intrinsic stains are the use of tetracycline antibiotics and overexposure to fluoride. However, they also can be caused by infection or trauma to the dental pulp, which puts patients at risk of developing an abscess.

Dr. Morehart and his staff will use advanced imaging technology to determine whether the patient has an infection. If so, they will use root canal therapy to remove the damaged pulp. Usually, root canals end with the tooth being filled and sealed, but for cosmetic reasons, it may be preferable to replace the entire crown.

Dr. Dennis Morehart, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit EnidDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.