Gaps between teeth can be concerning in terms of aesthetics and functionality. Luckily, there are a few tried and tested methods available that can be used to close gaps between teeth, with one of the most popular being braces.
Keep reading for our in-depth guide into braces for closing gaps between teeth, including whether they're right for you and other options to consider.
Gaps between teeth, otherwise known as Diastema, is the space between two teeth next to each other. Most gaps are most noticeable between the upper front teeth, but Diastema can occur anywhere in the mouth.
Gaps between teeth can occur for a few different reasons. Most teeth gaps close on their own as adult teeth emerge, but a few reasons might prevent this from happening. Enlarged gums are a common cause, as well as misalignment of teeth or your bite.
Traditional braces, or metal braces, are what most of us think of when visualising braces. The brackets are bonded onto your teeth with a flexible wire fixed with tiny elastic bands (ligatures) to keep them in place.
Ceramic braces are otherwise known as clear braces and work the same way as traditional alternatives. However, these braces are tooth coloured, so they blend into your teeth better to make them less noticeable. While this might be desirable by some, bear in mind that ceramic braces are more fragile than traditional metal braces.
Invisalign is a type of invisible aligner, which is a popular brace alternative. These aligners are moulded to your teeth and will straighten them over time. Each set of Invisalign aligners is worn for around two weeks, and each is slightly different to encourage your teeth to shift into a straighter position.
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign is removable, but they must be worn for at least 22 hours a day.
Similar to traditional braces, lingual braces are attached to the back of the teeth rather than the front. Most choose lingual braces over traditional braces if they don't want others to know they're wearing them.
Self-ligating braces are also similar to traditional metal braces, but instead of the tiny coloured elastics keeping the wire attached to the brackets, self-ligating braces have a built-in system to keep the wire in place.
All cases are unique, so whether or not braces can close tooth gaps depends on what's causing them in the first place. Gaps between your teeth due to enlarged tissue around the gums might require minor surgery to reduce the problem before using braces to close the gaps.
Other types of malocclusion, such as overbites, underbites, and crowded teeth might need to be addressed before using braces to close gaps. Luckily, some of these issues can be fixed with braces on their own, so you can deal with two problems at once!
While most braces can close gaps within a few months to a year, it's important to talk to a professional so your personal circumstances can be evaluated, giving you the best method of closing gaps.
Braces close gaps by pulling teeth into place with brackets attached to them, wire, and elastic chains. The small elastic bands are linked in a chain, pulling the teeth together to move them within your gums, which closes the gaps.
Traditional braces with elastic chains can close gaps between your teeth within just six weeks to six months. The timeframe can depend on other issues with your teeth such as alignment, as these issues are often fixed before closing tooth gaps with power chains.
How long traditional braces will take to fix your tooth gaps depends on a number of things, including:
Your age
The gap's size
How many gaps you have
The condition of your gums
Your jaw's density
Previous dental work
Your orthodontic plan
How well-kept your braces and power chains are
The severity of your case
Some people have success closing small gaps with Invisalign, but it's often not the best option for people with large gaps. This is because the plastic aligners might not pull the teeth together as much as required to fully close the gap, leaving the patient needing braces anyway.
Others, who don't want to use traditional braces, might opt to use a combination of bonding and Invisalign to close larger gaps, although this fix might not last as long as braces.
Aesthetic braces are a good option for people who want the most effective method of closing gaps, without the look of braces being evident every time they smile or talk. Aesthetic braces, such as lingual and ceramic braces, work the same as metal braces and therefore can close gaps in a similar timeframe. However, both of these braces tend to cost more due to how long it takes to make and fit them to your teeth.
Lingual braces might take slightly longer to close gaps; some have even reported that they cause a lisp.
Traditional braces can take as little as six weeks to close small gaps in your teeth, but larger gaps might take up to six months. Someone with multiple gaps may require their braces for 12 months or even more, so the timeframe you're looking at really depends on your personal situation.
Invisalign moves teeth an average of 0.2mm per aligner, and these are switched out every two weeks. So, the size of the gap will determine how long it'll take to close the gap. For example, a 1.5mm gap should take around 12 weeks to close. However, this will depend on your personal circumstances.
Aesthetic braces, such as lingual braces might take longer to close gaps because there's less strength behind the teeth to pull the elastic chains together. Ceramic braces might take longer too, as they tend to be weaker and therefore more likely to break, so you might be waiting for appointments to get them fixed.
Overall, Invisalign is the quickest method of closing gaps in teeth. However, if you've been advised that your gaps need metal brackets to pull the teeth together, traditional braces are the next quickest option.
Braces are usually offered to younger teenagers who have all their adult teeth rather than baby teeth, to get the majority of orthodontic treatments completed for the best aesthetic results in adulthood, however plenty of adults choose to opt for braces to fix tooth gaps. While there are risks associated with orthodontic treatment options, most find that the probability of these occurring is low. Most adults believe the benefits of braces outweigh the risks.
The main concern people have with braces is their appearance. Metal braces are quite eye-catching, which can worry people in corporate settings. To avoid this, aesthetic braces are the next best option. These will close gaps without being so easy to spot, although they might take longer to work and require a higher investment.
Invisalign is a less invasive form of closing gaps between your teeth because the aligners can be taken out whenever needed. However, they're more expensive than traditional braces and can take longer to be created.
Aside from gaps in teeth, braces can fix a number of issues. Some of the most common include:
Overbite from overcrowding
Misaligned jaw
Underbites
Open bite
Crossbite
Crooked teeth
Unmatched dental midlines
Chewing and speech difficulties
Low confidence due to teeth
Thanks for reading! Braces are often used for crooked teeth and misalignment, but they can also be an effective method for fixing teeth gaps. Traditional braces are often the best type for closing gaps of all sizes, but some don't like the look of metal braces bonded to their teeth. Invisible aligners are therefore another common alternative, although these are best for closing only smaller teeth gaps.
The general timeframe for using braces to close teeth gaps is between six weeks and six months. However, this can be adjusted depending on the number of gaps you have, gap size, oral health, and more. Make sure you consult a professional before considering braces to make sure they're the right treatment plan for you. Good luck!
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