Clefts – the hype about huge gaps between teeth
For decades, people have been turning to dentists for professional help to close existing gaps between teeth and get a normal, if not perfect, smile. But have you ever heard of the exact opposite? Creating gaps between teeth? If so, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
My response: “You can’t be serious!” I couldn’t believe it and my jaw dropped. But I am an ambassador for healthy and functional teeth and for preventing tooth loss and gum disease. I would like to say that this is a completely normal reaction. I am often asked by patients, friends and acquaintances what treatment options are available for gaps between teeth, but none of them ask how to create gaps between teeth.
Clefts are most commonly found between the two front teeth (midline clefts) and appear as a gap. In some cases, it is barely visible, but in others, it is very noticeable. Think of a friend, perhaps your favorite celebrity, a catwalk model or even a family member who has such a gap between teeth. Or more gaps. Many find it cute, unique, different, sexy or unusual, ugly, unattractive, abnormal. It’s a mixed bag. But with social media and beauty ideals driving new dental trends, many women in particular are looking for information and advice on how to fill these gaps.
“Prevention is better than cure!”
It is important to understand that we treat gaps in adults primarily because we did not prevent them during childhood and/or adolescence. Causes of diastema are:
Oversized lip frenulum
Small teeth size compared to jaw size
Small teeth size in relation to arch length
Bite development
Missing teeth
Gum disease and tooth loss
Genetic factors
All of the above causes occur early in a child’s tooth development and can be corrected by:
Orthodontic treatment (braces)
Surgical treatment (frenectomy)
Behavioral changes (e.g. thumb sucking)
Failure to take these steps can leave an adult with a permanent gap, which can be corrected later in life by doing one of the following:
Orthodontic treatment (fixed/removable braces, permanent retainers)
Veneers
Dental bonding
You may have noticed that gap reduction is a dental procedure designed to maintain the health and function of the dental appliance and only becomes an aesthetic issue in adulthood.
Closing the gap sounds simple, but it is a very complex process involving many challenges and efforts for both the dentist and the patient, as it involves:
Long-term treatment (months, years for orthodontic patients)
Very good oral hygiene (requires extra time, special tools and techniques)
Pain and discomfort
Multiple visits to the dentist, dental hygienist and prosthetist (sometimes even dental surgeon)
Extra care when biting (for teeth restored with veneers, dental bonding)
Gum disease (caused by teeth restored with veneers)
Financial burden (can be very expensive)
Results (the final result cannot always be predicted and is not guaranteed to meet your expectations).
The implications are multifaceted, and this little big picture should help you understand that it is not a simple thing that happens overnight or at the snap of a finger. Now, with this information, try to imagine what it means to create a fissure.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
This quote is well known, but don’t smart people know best? We believe that our dentists are knowledgeable and smart when it comes to protecting teeth and maintaining oral health, function and beauty. While there is a ton of research and clinical data on “space closure” and its outcomes, there is none when it comes to “creating one or more spaces.” Therefore, we must be wise and cautious in deciding to offer this type of treatment to our patients, and the only treatments currently available are:
Orthodontic treatment (fixed/removable braces, permanent retainers)
Veneers, dental bonding
Now note that the long list of treatment consequences below remains the same. But the most important things to consider are:
Your overall appearance will change dramatically
There will be speech impairments (e.g. lisp)
Tongue thrust may occur, which may cause the position of teeth to shift over time
Saliva and fluids will be difficult to retain in the mouth, resulting in involuntary “spitting.”
Gum disease may develop
Reversing the process may not be an option
Finally, remember:
“Trends come and go”
Many trends are like the stock market: unpredictable and highly volatile. They can create insecurity and unrealistic expectations, or promote good, healthy habits and personal acceptance. There are a lot of comments on social media platforms from frustrated people who hate their gaps and want to change that, and there are a lot of comments from happy people who love their gaps and wouldn’t change them for the world. But what if you had an amazing set of healthy, straight, white teeth? Would you choose to make your teeth look cuter, more unique, different, sexier or unusual, ugly, unattractive or abnormal? You are already at least one of these things, to someone else or yourself. So what’s there to change? And more importantly: why?
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
