A gap between teeth is called a diastema. This guide is mainly about the gap between the two upper front teeth, known as a midline diastema.
Why does a gap form?
There is no single cause; many different causes have been reported.
- In children, a gap between the front teeth can be a normal part of dental development.[4] It may close on its own as the lateral incisors come through.[5]
- Certain forms of the upper lip frenum (the fold of tissue that connects the upper lip to the gum) have been associated with a gap between the upper front teeth.[5]
- Congenitally missing teeth and habits such as thumb sucking are also among the possibilities to rule out.[5]
- In adults, teeth that are loose or separating, and any change in the way the teeth fit together when you bite, are listed among the warning signs of gum disease.[3]
What shapes the choice?
- Teeth that are spaced too far apart are among the reasons orthodontic correction may be considered. Orthodontic treatment is not only for children; adults have it too.[2]
- For certain gaps, composite bonding is one of the options; in selected cases it can be planned by adding material only, without reducing the tooth. Veneers can also be used to mask gaps.[1]
- If there is gum disease or decay, it needs to be treated before veneers or bonding.
- The cause of the gap, the bite and functional factors such as clenching also shape the choice.
Where the cause is tooth position, an orthodontic assessment may come first.
What is checked at the examination?
- The gums: whether teeth are separating or loose, or the bite has changed.[3]
- Possible causes such as missing teeth or the shape of the lip frenum are distinguished.[5]
- Tooth position, proportions, existing fillings and the bite are assessed together.
- The treatment plan is prepared from your own findings after the examination and any necessary tests, and is explained to you before anything starts.
How a photograph looks is not enough on its own to decide. In planning, Dr. Ferit Çiftçi considers the face, the lip line, tooth proportions and the bite together, and where appropriate aims to preserve natural tooth structure. You can read about how he works on his page.
How can a gap be closed?
- Monitoring: particularly in children who are still developing, the gap may close on its own.[5]
- Orthodontic treatment: the teeth are moved to close the gap. After treatment, retainers help preserve and stabilise the result;[2] how retention is planned also depends on the cause of the gap.[4]
- Composite bonding: tooth-coloured composite is added to the tooth surface to change how the gap looks. If needed, it can be repaired in one area. Closing a gap does not always mean covering the whole front surface of the tooth; how much composite is added is planned for each tooth. The composite veneers page explains composite shaped directly on the tooth in more detail.
- Ceramic veneers: veneers can also mask gaps; for porcelain veneers a small amount of enamel is usually removed, and once enamel is removed this is not regarded as reversible.[1] The ceramic veneers page has more detail.
- If the gap is to be considered together with other features of the smile, the smile design page is a good place to start.
Care and follow-up
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth every day.
- If you have bonding or veneers, avoid biting your nails and chewing hard objects or foods.
- After orthodontic treatment, retainers help preserve the result.[2]
- Composite surfaces may change in colour and gloss over time; at check-ups, the dentist assesses whether polishing, a local repair or replacement is needed.
- Decay can still develop under or around a veneer; regular check-ups are part of the plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does a gap between my teeth have to be closed?
Not always. Its cause is understood first; the option and timing follow from that cause, and for larger gaps, earlier assessment may be advised.
My child has a gap between the front teeth. Will it close on its own?
It may; the gap can close as the lateral incisors come through. An examination is needed to rule out other causes such as missing teeth, the lip frenum and habits.
As an adult, a gap has recently opened between my teeth. Does it matter?
Teeth that are separating are listed among the warning signs of gum disease, so it should be checked at an examination.
Is a gap closed with composite, or with braces or aligners?
That depends on the cause and size of the gap, the position of the teeth and the bite. Where suitable, composite closes the gap conservatively by adding material to the tooth; where the cause is the position of the teeth, an orthodontic assessment may be more appropriate.
Does a gap closed with composite change over time?
Composite surfaces may change in colour and gloss over time; at check-ups, the dentist assesses whether polishing, a local repair or replacement is needed.
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