Gapped teeth
It’s common for there to be a gap between two of your teeth. If a gap is wider than 0.5cm, it’s known as a diastema. Diastemas are most frequently noticed between the top front two teeth. The diagram shows what a diastema looks like.
What causes gapped teeth?
There are many causes of gapped teeth. These include:
Genetics: Gapped teeth can run in the family
Gum disease: If you have severe gum disease, this can result in damage to the jawbone and your teeth may become loose, causing gaps to appear
Alignment issues where your front teeth protrude past your lower teeth
The loss of baby teeth: As these fall out, gaps can appear between a child’s teeth. These sometimes close as adult teeth appear or they can remain permanently
Oversized tissue in the gum: You have a type of tissue between your lip and gum known as ‘labial frenum’. If this is too large, it can cause a gap to form
Pushing your tongue against your front teeth or thumb sucking beyond the age of seven: This can put enough pressure on the front teeth to result in a gap
Can gapped teeth cause oral health problems?
Generally, a gap between your teeth is nothing to worry about and many people like the look of a diastema. However, if you feel self-conscious about it, you may want to have orthodontic treatment for cosmetic reasons.
Most of the time, a gap in the teeth can be treated with braces, but there are some cases, for example if the gap is caused by oversized tissue, where you may require a minor operation such as a frenectomy to close the gap.
If you have gum disease, this will need to be treated by your general dentist before you can have any type of orthodontic treatment, or you may want to replace the failing teeth instead.
Which type of braces can fix gapped teeth?
Your orthodontist may discuss the following options with you:
- Fixed braces, which use brackets and wires to reposition your teeth. These can come in the form of traditional metal braces, or more discreet options such as clear ceramic braces or lingual braces
- Invisalign treatment or other types of removable braces, which uses clear aligners that you can take out to eat, drink or to brush your teeth
What to expect
When we contact you, we will ask you if you’d like to have your free consultation in person or over the phone. At your consultation, we will chat through your options and suitability for different treatments.
*Terms and conditions:
1. Consultations over the telephone or a video application are free of professional charges. A COVID-19 safety tariff will not apply to the free consultation but may apply to specific appointments in your treatment, which you will be notified of beforehand.
2. Consultations are to discuss options and suitability for treatment. Subsequent clinical examinations and diagnostic tests required, and any associated costs will be discussed prior to treatment commencing.
3. Consultations subject to availability.
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Find out more
Do I need braces?
Find out about the common orthodontic symptoms you may be experiencing.
Fixed braces
Fixed braces are attached to your teeth using wires and brackets and are a popular treatment option.
Removable and near-invisible braces
Find out more about the discreet, clear aligner options we have available at Total Orthodontics.
Our orthodontists
*Terms and conditions:
1.Free consultations are to discuss options and suitability for treatment. You may require a more in-depth clinical examination or diagnostic tests before treatment options can be discussed. There may be a charge for such examination or test, payable by you. The clinician will discuss this with you before any such examination or test takes place, which may be done during the same appointment as your free consultation.
2.Children under 18 can be referred for a free NHS assessment, subject to availability of appointments. Private consultations for children are excluded from this offer and will be charged at our standard rate but the charge will be refunded to you in full if the child commences private treatment following the consultation.
3. Consultations subject to availability.
Total Orthodontics and Bupa Dental Care are trading names of Oasis Dental Care Limited. Registered in England Wales No: 00478127. Registered office: Bupa Dental Care, Vantage Office Park, Old Gloucester Road, Hambrook, Bristol, United Kingdom BS16 1GW.
