With a decade and a half-long career in football and an extensive professional experience in fields such as journalism and media, Michael Strahan has been in the limelight for quite the time. And as is the case with public figures, appearances and demeanor are at the forefront of general scrutiny. Among the many features that people pick in the former athlete, Michael Strahan’s teeth have always been a topic.
And while cosmetic dentistry is not new to celebrities and A-listers, smile transformations never fail to spark interest from the public. It is no secret how much a good smile can add to your charm. This is why aesthetic dentistry initially started as a field that caters to movie stars.
Michael Strahan’s teeth gap is no exception to these unwritten rules, and his smile has been a hot topic for a while, especially after he fixed his teeth.
In this article, we’ll talk about the possible treatments you can consider to fix your smile if you have similar dental problems to Michael Strahan’s teeth issues.
What Is Wrong With Michael Strahan’s Teeth?
Michael Strahan has diastema, which is a dental condition that refers to natural gapping between teeth. This condition is due to genetic factors, environmental conditions, and personal habits. Moreover, it can affect both kids and adults alike.
The only difference is that with kids, it is very possible for the gapping to close once the adult teeth come in. But if the adult teeth come in with diastema, then the person lives with this condition for the rest of their life. Michael Strahan’s teeth are an example of the latter, for instance, the TV star has had diastema since he was a child.
What Causes Diastema?
There are numerous factors that can cause diastema, and some of these factors can work together to bring on the condition. Starting with the genetic factors, there are several elements that genetics can influence to cause gapping.
For instance, you have the ratio of jaw bone size to teeth size, which can have a huge impact on the distribution of teeth. For someone with small teeth and a larger jaw, gaps can occur between the teeth.
The genetic condition that most likely influences Michael Strahan’s teeth gap is related to the gums. Diastema can happen because the gum tissue between the two front teeth grows larger than average; pushing the teeth apart.
Some habits that people develop as children can also affect tooth gapping. For instance, thumb sucking is a common habit among children. While it may seem harmless, it contributes to a large number of dental problems. The pressure from the sucking can pull some teeth apart causing gaps between teeth. Thumb sucking is also among the biggest contributors to buck teeth.
How Did Michael Strahan’s Teeth Change?
A lot of people wonder how Michael Strahan fixed his teeth and closed the gap between his front teeth. But we’ll address the issue from a broader perspective and list down the many ways you can close the gap between your teeth.
Unfortunately, for Michael Strahan, the smile transformation is a mere April fool’s joke. The star did not actually opt for treatment and used theatrical dental products to achieve the look.
But if you’re serious about correcting your tooth gap, here are some of the most effective options.
Read more: Best Dental Implants: How to Make the Right Choice
1- Veneers
Veneers have taken the world by storm since their inception, largely due to their successful ability to fix a large array of dental problems. This procedure also goes by the name Hollywood Smile, but this term is more for getting veneers on all front teeth.
So, if you just want to close the gap between your teeth, you can opt for veneers on the two teeth that have space between them. The process is simple and painless and the results are long-term. You can read more about veneers here, but in brief; the procedure involves your dentist removing a layer of your teeth to make space for the veneers.
Your dentist will only remove a slim layer from your teeth and the process is pain-free. Following this, they will begin the design process. If you’re opting for ceramic/porcelain veneers, you can get them in just two days using the CAD/CAM technology. Otherwise, you can wait for some time with traditional methods that are compatible with other materials.
The pros of this option are the quick results as well as the longevity of the treatment. Veneers can last up to 15 years on average. And in certain cases, up to 18 years with the right aftercare. Michael Strahan’s teeth were corrected using a temporary alternative to veneers that are usually for cinematic use.
2- Braces
Braces are a good approach to fixing diastema as well. But many people prefer to avoid this option, especially adults, because of its many downsides. If Michael Strahan’s teeth were really fixed, we doubt he would opt for braces to do that. Just because braces can be bulky, painful, and take a very long time to give you the results you want.
However, they’re still a good option. And if you do not like the metallic and chunky aesthetic of braces you can consider more discreet options. A lot of celebrities opt for lingual braces which go on the back of your teeth instead of the front. A more modern option for discreet braces is the Invisalign which is a transparent aligner that you wear on the upper and lower jaws.
With braces in general, you need to continue to wear your aligner after your treatment is over to maintain the results.
