What Is the Process for Crown Treatment of the Upper and Lower Front Teeth When There Is a Gap? SNU Entrance Dental Clinic

Hello.

I am Dr. Park Jung-gi, a dentist at SNU Entrance Dental Clinic.

Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered, "Why have my teeth changed like this?"

Or have you ever experienced teeth gradually spacing apart over time, or noticed the gap becoming more visible?

When treating patients, I find that more people than expected say things like this. It wasn�2019t like this before, but the gap between my teeth is gradually widening.

My teeth used to be even and nice, but now they seem to be shifting. Today, at SNU Entrance Dental Clinic, I will explain why teeth can become misaligned over time or develop gaps between them,

and I will also explain related medical information with photos to help you understand.

Treatment period: 2025.02.11 ~ 2025.02.28

Why the gap between these teeth gradually widens and the teeth protrude

This is not simply a coincidence, but also a natural change that occurs as time passes.

• As we age, the support of the gums and alveolar bone weakens

• Gradual deformation of the tooth-supporting structure due to decreased bone density

• Reduced resistance to occlusal force

The biggest reasons are as above.

This is a physiological change in the periodontal tissues, where the shape of the bone changes and the alignment of the teeth changes along with it.

2025.02.11

Also, as shown in the photos we are sharing today at SNU Entrance Dental Clinic,

if prosthetic restorations such as crowns were placed in the past, the imbalance from minor occlusal discrepancies that occur after crown placement or habits such as chewing on only one side can accelerate asymmetry.

If you grind your teeth, continuous lateral forces can increase protrusion,

and over time, plaque and tartar can build up between the crown and the natural tooth margin,

while the bonding strength decreases, which can lead to a slightly different alignment from the original.

In the case shown at the SNU Entrance Station Dental Clinic,

both the upper and lower front teeth were subjected to forces pushing them forward, making the teeth seem protruded,

and as the gums receded, the margin became exposed, and the spaces between the teeth widened.

As a result, the gaps became so noticeable that they immediately caught the eye,

and the issue went beyond simply affecting appearance.

If left as is, it can also reduce chewing function and cause discomfort.

In addition, as the gaps widen, food gets trapped more easily,

and if it becomes difficult to keep those spaces clean, plaque and tartar accumulate, which can lead to secondary decay.

If the gap is not very large, composite resin or laminate veneers may be used, but

2025.02.28

In the case explained today at SNU Entrance Dental Clinic,

because the spaces were very wide, we used a method of making new crowns and covering the teeth.

By properly adjusting the size of the new prosthetics, we restored a total of four front teeth, both upper and lower,

and at that time, we also considered the alignment of the teeth when designing them, to reduce the impression of protrusion and misalignment.

We also selected a color tone that blended well with the surrounding teeth, maintaining aesthetics as well.

2025.02.11 ~ 2025.02.28

Because multiple issues were improved through crown prosthetic treatment,

I believe this is a good case for patients who are wondering what kind of treatment they should receive for front teeth spacing. Once teeth have become spaced or misaligned, it is difficult to return them to their original position. Depending on the condition you want to improve, it can require a lot of time and cost.

So if a gap has formed between your teeth, I strongly recommend getting an examination.

If prosthetic treatment is not necessary, or if the patient does not want it, then it is fine to simply monitor it, so please at least get an examination.

I hope you do not ignore visible problems and simply let them pass,

and I also hope you will remember that small changes in the mouth can bring great joy and satisfaction in our lives.

Thank you for reading. This was Dr. Park Jung-gi of SNU Entrance Dental Clinic.