Gaps between teeth are common and have different causes. How to fix the gap depends upon the cause of the gap or gaps and the goals of treatment.
Why Gaps Between Teeth Happen
Tooth gap causes vary. The reason for what patients often call “gapped teeth” or “gap teeth” varies. Sometimes, the gap is a natural space between two adjacent teeth known as a diastema. A gap between upper front teeth is quite common.
Sometimes there is more space in the dental arch than there is width of teeth, which can result in diastemas between many teeth. This is fairly common and is not a pathological problem. If the opposite is true, teeth can be crowded. Generally speaking, having extra space between teeth is less of a problem that having crowded teeth.
Congenitally missing teeth can also result in gaps between teeth. Common congenitally missing teeth include upper lateral incisors and upper and lower second premolars.
Finally, some habits can cause gaps between teeth. Thumb-sucking or using pacifiers can cause gaps between teeth, which will often be seen along with front teeth that don’t touch – something dentists refer to as anterior open bite.
Reasons People Choose to Close a Gap
- Difficulty chewing
- Difficulty speaking
- Dissatisfaction with smile
- Trapping food between teeth
How to Fix a Gap in Your Teeth
- Veneers or Crowns – this is often the quickest fix, but it is aggressive in some cases, it doesn’t work well for everyone’s situation, and it is a big investment!
- Braces or Clear Aligners – this is often the fix that is the best for dental health – the teeth are moved together with orthodontic treatment
- Addressing the Underlying Cause – sometimes we need to replace teeth to fix gaps between teeth, or otherwise address the cause of the issue
Choosing the Right Option for Your Smile
The right option depends upon what’s important to you, your anatomy, and dental health status
Getting Started
To see which option is best for you, call us and come in for a comprehensive exam!
