Gaps between teeth (spacing) happen when the jaw has more room than the teeth need. A gap between the two upper front teeth is called a diastema. Common causes are small or missing teeth, habits and a tongue that pushes forward. Most gaps can be closed with clear aligners or braces, sometimes alongside bonding to reshape small teeth.
What causes gaps
- In children, gaps between baby teeth are healthy, and a gap between new upper front teeth around ages 7 to 10 is common. It often narrows or closes as the canines come through, around 11 to 13.
- Narrow or peg-shaped upper side teeth, or adult teeth that never formed, leave more space than the teeth can fill.
- Thumb sucking, or a tongue that pushes against the front teeth when swallowing (tongue thrust), can fan them forward and apart. Our thumb sucking and dummies guide covers what helps.
- A thick band of tissue joining the upper lip to the gum (the frenum), or an extra tooth in the bone between the front teeth, can hold them apart. An examination and X-ray show which.
- In adults, a gap that has opened recently can be a sign of gum disease and bone loss around the teeth. The gums need treating before any teeth are moved; see gum disease treatment.
Why it can matter
Many gaps are purely about appearance, and plenty of people like theirs. Others have practical effects. Food can trap in a gap and irritate the gum, and a wide front gap can make the s sound whistle slightly. Where a tooth is missing, the teeth either side can tip into the space over time, and a later implant or bridge becomes harder to fit. A tongue thrust that spreads the front teeth can also leave an open bite, where the front teeth do not meet.
How we assess it
The orthodontic consultation is complimentary and needs no referral. Dr Anand Srinivasa, our principal clinician, whose practice is restricted to orthodontics, looks at the size and shape of each tooth, the gums, the frenum and the bite, using records (photos, digital scans and X-rays where needed). He plans the tooth movements digitally, and your written plan shows how the gaps would close, whether bonding or another restoration would help, the timeframe it commonly takes and the full cost.
Treatment options
- Children: often the right answer is to wait, because many front gaps close as the canines arrive. If a habit is involved, a habit-breaker appliance can help, and an early assessment checks for missing or extra teeth.
- Teens and adults: Invisalign® closes many gaps discreetly, and Damon™ braces, including clear brackets, suit larger or more complex spacing. A small single gap commonly takes 3 to 6 months; general spacing commonly 6 to 12 months. See adult orthodontics.
When bonding or a restoration is part of the plan
Closing a gap with tooth movement alone is not always the right answer. If the teeth are small or narrow, pulling them together can leave other gaps or an uneven smile, so the plan may space the teeth evenly first, then our dental team adds tooth-coloured bonding, or sometimes veneers or crowns, to bring them to a natural size. Where a tooth is missing, orthodontics can either close the space or open it to the right width for a dental implant or bridge. In young patients, implants wait until growth is complete.
Keeping gaps closed
Gaps, and a front diastema in particular, tend to reopen. The usual answer is a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth, often with a clear retainer worn at night, long term. Our retainer guide explains why. See cases treated here in the smile gallery. Individual results vary.
What it costs
Closing one small gap usually costs much less than comprehensive treatment: minor Invisalign corrections in Sydney are commonly quoted at roughly $2,000 to $4,500. Comprehensive treatment is commonly quoted at roughly $4,500 to $8,000 for metal braces and $6,000 to $9,000 for Invisalign. Any bonding is a separate dental fee, quoted in writing before you start. See the Sydney braces cost guide.