Tooth splinting next to an existing gap?

[Vix]

My dentist mentioned that my tooth (bottom front) that's a bit loose (gum disease) may need to be splinted to help it along, however the tooth in question is next to a gap, the gap itself is a tooth wide if that makes sense, which the dentist said could make splinting difficult.
The gap itself got wider due to tartar build up, but I've always had a gap between my bottom front teeth.

I was wondering if there's a dentist here who could tell me my options in this scenario? I know it's difficult from over the internet, but I'd just appreciate any input so I feel like I have something I could ask my dentist. In an ideal world I'd get rid of the gap and have nice ordinary straight looking teeth. I'm pretty sure the gap exists because my lower canines are slightly twisted and slightly pushed outward.

 

[Dr. Daniel]

Hi,

You might find it surprising, but spacing of the teeth (teeth flaring) is not caused by gum disease. A gum disease is certainly an enhancer but not the main cause. If your front lower teeth were once in-line and over the years flared apart, it most likely has to do with a condition we dentists call “lost of posterior support” which means that when closing the mouth, too much pressure goes to the front teeth rather than the back molars hence the front teeth “escape” these forces by flaring up. This can happen due to losing back morals or having too short of back molars.
In short, your dentist has to diagnose first the reason for the teeth flaring. Again, it is not simply a tar-tar build up.
Splinting such a long spam can be an esthetic problem (the wire will be visible between the teeth) and it might fall after a while.
Again, I might be missing here because I know nothing about your teeth.

Hope it helped.

 

[Vix]

Hi,

You might find it surprising, but spacing of the teeth (teeth flaring) is not caused by gum disease. A gum disease is certainly an enhancer but not the main cause. If your front lower teeth were once in-line and over the years flared apart, it most likely has to do with a condition we dentists call “lost of posterior support” which means that when closing the mouth, too much pressure goes to the front teeth rather than the back molars hence the front teeth “escape” these forces by flaring up. This can happen due to losing back morals or having too short of back molars.
In short, your dentist has to diagnose first the reason for the teeth flaring. Again, it is not simply a tar-tar build up.
Splinting such a long spam can be an esthetic problem (the wire will be visible between the teeth) and it might fall after a while.
Again, I might be missing here because I know nothing about your teeth.

Hope it helped.

They were never in-line, they just appear to have gotten marginally worse each year, which I put down to my poor dental care and fears. I'm just nervous that nothing can be done for this tooth because it's next to a gap.
I appreciate any and all knowledge you can throw my way.