Many people — both children and adults — naturally have a gap between their two upper front teeth. This gap, which is officially known as a diastema, ranges from barely noticeable to fairly significant. When children have half baby teeth and half adult teeth (generally ages 7-11), a diastema is exceptionally common and often expected. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having a gap in your teeth. Much like having freckles or rare eye color, a diastema can add an undeniable uniqueness to your look. Most gaps will close with time for kids, but for some people, a diastema may persist into adulthood, and some individuals may consider their gap a cosmetic issue that they would prefer to close. In this case, there are plenty of options to consider.
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What Causes Gaps in Between Teeth?
A diastema can happen for many different reasons. The most common causes include:
- Having teeth that are too small for your jaw bone, leading to wide spacing.
- An overgrowth of tissue bordering your gum line and your upper front teeth, causing separation.
- Incorrect swallowing reflexes and tongue placement, placing pressure on the front teeth, causing the teeth to flare forward, therefore creating a gap.
- Inflammation and tissue damage, leading to tooth loss and gaps.
Children can also develop a gap between their front teeth if they suck their thumb habitually.
How to Fix a Gap in Your Front Teeth With Braces
If you have a space between your front teeth that you would like to close, braces are a common solution. Braces use wires and brackets to slowly move the teeth together, closing the diastema. Adults often prefer to use invisible or removable braces, like Invisalign.
How fast do braces close gaps? The answer will vary depending on the size of your gap, the style of braces you choose and the placement of your other teeth. For example, if you have several teeth that need to be moved, you’ll likely have to wear braces for a longer period of time. Treatment lengths are determined on a case-by-case basis, so you’ll need to schedule a consultation with our orthodontist to learn more.
Other Solution Options
While braces can reduce the gap between teeth, they’re certainly not the only option. Some adults choose to get veneers or composite bonding to fit over their teeth and eliminate the gap. These options are rarer in children, though.
Should I Get Braces to Fix My Gap?
Wondering if braces are the right solution for you? While both children and adults can have a gap between their teeth, we don’t recommend that kids pursue braces to close the gap. Often, this gap will resolve itself once kids lose their baby teeth and their adult teeth grow in.
However, if you’re a teen or adult and the look of the gap in your front teeth is bothering you, then braces might be an ideal solution. If you don’t have an issue with the way it looks, there’s no need to pursue braces — your diastema isn’t a problem that needs to be fixed.
Want to Fix a Gap in Your Front Teeth With Braces? Schedule a Consultation Today
Fox Kids Dentistry & Orthodontics offers specialized pediatric dentistry and orthodontic care. Our goal is to help kids and teens maintain healthy and happy smiles. Whether you’re looking to get braces for the first time or have been to an orthodontist in the past and still have gaps after braces, give us a call! Schedule a consultation today to take the next step toward the smile you’ve been dreaming of.