Gaps between teeth are usually closed with braces or clear aligners, which slide the teeth together and hold them there with a retainer. Small gaps in baby teeth are normal; gaps in permanent teeth are worth an orthodontic check.
What causes gaps between teeth?
Spacing is one of the most common orthodontic problems we see. Our common orthodontic issues page lists the usual causes: extra room in the jaw compared with the size of the teeth, teeth that are missing from birth or lost to cavities or injury, and childhood habits such as thumb sucking that push the front teeth outward.
A gap between the two upper front teeth has its own name, a diastema. It can run in families, and it can also be linked to the band of tissue that attaches the upper lip to the gum. Whatever the cause, the exam is about finding out why the space is there, because that decides how it is closed and how it is kept closed.
Are gaps in a child’s teeth normal?
Often, yes. It is normal to have some spaces between primary (baby) teeth. Those spaces leave room for the larger permanent teeth that follow. A gap between the upper front teeth is also common while the permanent canines are still erupting, and it may narrow on its own as they erupt.
That is one reason the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic screening by age 7. At that visit we can tell the difference between spacing that will take care of itself and spacing caused by a missing tooth, a habit or a jaw size mismatch. Our early intervention approach is built around catching those cases at the right time.
Do gaps between teeth cause problems?
For many people a gap is mainly a cosmetic concern, and that is a perfectly good reason to treat it. But spacing can also change how the bite works. Wide spaces can let food pack into the gums, change the way the front teeth meet, and allow neighboring teeth to tip or drift, especially next to a missing tooth. When teeth drift into an empty space, the bite on that side can shift too.
How are gaps between teeth closed?
Our page notes that spacing issues are often treatable with braces or clear aligners. Which one is right depends on the size and number of gaps, the bite, and what else needs correcting.
| Situation | Typical approach | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One or two small gaps, healthy bite | Clear aligners or braces | Teeth are moved together and the space is closed evenly |
| Spacing throughout the arch | Braces or clear aligners for the whole arch | All teeth are repositioned so spaces close without new gaps elsewhere |
| Gap from a missing tooth | Orthodontics to close or open the space | Space is closed, or held at the right width for an implant or bridge |
| Gap linked to a habit | Habit help plus orthodontic treatment | Stopping the habit keeps the space from reopening |
When a tooth is missing, the decision is whether to close the space or keep it open for a replacement tooth. Our post on braces with missing teeth explains how that choice is made with your dentist.
Braces or clear aligners for gaps?
Both work well for spacing, and at Premiere Orthodontics braces and clear aligners are offered at the same price, so the choice can come down to your lifestyle. Aligners are nearly invisible and removable, which many adults prefer; our page on clear aligners for adults covers how they work. Braces, including custom metal braces and Clarity ceramic braces, work around the clock without relying on you to wear trays 22 hours a day.
Before you choose, we take records with the TRIOS intraoral scanner, which builds a precise 3D model of your teeth in a few minutes with no putty. The TRIOS outcome simulator can also show you a preview of how your smile could look once the gaps are closed.
How do you keep gaps from coming back?
Closed spaces want to reopen, which is why retention matters so much for spacing cases. You will wear your retainer full-time for two months after treatment and then nightly, indefinitely. For front-tooth gaps, a bonded wire behind the teeth is often a good fit, because it holds the teeth together without depending on daily wear. Our retainers page compares the fixed and removable options.
What does gap-closing treatment look like step by step?
It starts with a complimentary consultation. Dr. Battle examines your teeth and bite, we take complimentary x-rays and diagnostic photos, and you leave with a personalized treatment plan and a custom financial plan with no down payment. If you are ready, we offer Same Day Braces, so you can start at that first visit.
During treatment, you will visit every 6 to 8 weeks for check-ins if you are in braces. Many patients can also use the DentalMonitoring app to send photo updates between visits, so Dr. Battle can confirm the spaces are closing on schedule without an extra trip to the office.
Once the gaps are closed and the bite is right, the braces or aligners come off and retention begins. Patients who complete full treatment with us are covered by our Lifetime Guarantee, which also includes free professional teeth whitening for life.
Should you see your dentist about a gap too?
Sometimes, yes. If a gap comes from a missing tooth, your dentist is part of the plan for replacing it. If the gums between two teeth look puffy or bleed, or a gap appears suddenly in an adult who never had one, a dental check is wise, because shifting teeth can be a sign of gum problems that should be managed alongside, or before, orthodontic treatment. Dr. Battle is happy to coordinate with your dentist.
Frequently asked questions about gaps between teeth
Can a small gap close on its own?
In young children, gaps between baby teeth and a front gap during the early permanent-teeth years can narrow naturally. In adults, gaps rarely close without treatment.
How long does it take to close a gap?
It depends on the size of the space and what else is being corrected. Full treatment generally takes 12 to 36 months, and simple spacing cases are often at the shorter end. You will get an estimate at your consultation.
Is it too late to close gaps as an adult?
No. There is no upper age limit for orthodontic treatment. Adults close gaps with aligners or braces all the time.
Will the gap come back after treatment?
It can if retainers are not worn. Following the retainer schedule, or having a bonded retainer, is what keeps the space closed.
Ready to find out what it would take to close your gap? Request a complimentary consultation with Dr. Battle at our Waterford Lakes or Winter Springs office.
