A gap between teeth is one of the most common things people ask us about at Hocking Dental Care. Some people have had theirs since childhood and barely notice it anymore. Others want to know if there's something they can do about it. Either way, it's a normal question, and there's no single right answer for everyone.
In this post we'll run through why gaps form, what they might mean for your teeth and gums, and the usual ways people choose to close a gap between teeth, or simply leave it be. If you're in Hocking, Wanneroo or anywhere else across Perth's northern suburbs and you'd like someone to take a proper look at yours, our team is happy to help.
What causes a gap between teeth?
A gap between teeth, sometimes called a diastema, can show up anywhere in the mouth but is most often seen between the two upper front teeth. There isn't usually one single cause. A few things tend to be behind it.
Tooth and jaw size
Smaller than average teeth and a larger than average jaw can lead to noticeable spacing between the teeth. This is simply how some people's teeth and jaws grow, and it often runs in families.
Missing or smaller teeth
If a tooth is missing, or one tooth is smaller than its neighbour, the teeth around it can drift, leaving a space. This is particularly common with the teeth just behind the front ones.
Habits like tongue thrust
Some people push their tongue towards their teeth when they swallow instead of the roof of their mouth, a movement sometimes called a "tongue thrust", which can gradually push teeth apart over time. Thumb sucking and similar habits in childhood can have a similar effect.
The tissue above your front teeth
There's a small piece of tissue that connects your upper lip to your gum, called the labial frenum. If it's larger than usual, it can sit between the front teeth and stop them sitting close together.
Gap between teeth and gum
Sometimes a gap seems to appear between a tooth and the gum next to it, rather than between two teeth. This is worth mentioning at your next check-up rather than ignoring, since changes around the gum line are best looked at early. It doesn't always mean anything serious, but a dentist is the right person to work out what's going on.
Gap between teeth after filling
If you've noticed a small gap appear after a filling, it's often because the shape of the restoration doesn't quite match the space it sits in, or a neighbouring tooth has shifted slightly over time. It's a good idea to get this checked at a routine visit so we can see whether anything needs adjusting.
Do you need to treat a gap between teeth?
Not always. For a lot of people, a gap between front teeth is just part of how their smile has always looked, and there's no health reason to change it. Treatment is really a personal choice, based on how you feel about it rather than any rule that says it must be fixed.
That said, it's worth having any gap checked by a dentist, especially if it's new, getting wider, or sits alongside bleeding gums or teeth that feel a little loose. Those signs are worth raising at a check-up so we can see whether anything else is going on.
Common ways to close a gap between teeth
If you do want to close a gap, there are a few usual paths. What suits you depends on the size of the gap, where it is, and what's causing it. We'll always talk through your options and give you a written estimate with item numbers before anything starts, so you know what's involved.
Clear aligners
Clear aligners gradually move teeth into a new position over a series of custom-made trays. They can be a good option when the gap is mainly a spacing issue rather than a problem with the tooth itself. You can read more about how this works on our clear aligners page. If you're weighing this up against fixed braces, we've also put together a separate guide comparing clear aligners and braces to help you think it through.
Veneers
Veneers are thin custom shells placed over the front of a tooth to change its shape, size or colour. For some gaps, particularly smaller ones at the front, veneers can be used to build out the sides of the teeth so the space closes up. Results vary from person to person, and we'll let you know if your gap is a good candidate during an exam. You can find more detail on our veneers page.
Tooth-coloured fillings
For smaller gaps, a tooth-coloured filling material can sometimes be built up along the edge of the tooth to close the space. This tends to suit minor gaps rather than larger ones, and it's something we can discuss at a check-up once we've had a proper look.
Leaving it alone
Plenty of people decide to simply leave their gap as it is. If there's no underlying issue causing it, there's nothing wrong with that choice. We'll never push treatment you haven't asked about.
What if crowding is part of the picture too?
Sometimes a gap in one part of the mouth sits alongside crowded teeth somewhere else. This isn't unusual, since both come down to the balance between tooth size and jaw size. We've covered this in more detail in our guide on crowded teeth, which looks at why it happens and the usual ways it's managed.
What happens at your appointment
When you come in to talk about a gap between teeth, we'll start with a proper look at your teeth and gums, and use our intraoral camera to put a picture up on the screen beside the chair. That way you can see exactly what we're looking at, rather than just taking our word for it.
We'll talk through what's likely causing your gap, whether it needs any attention, and what the realistic options are. Appointments are booked with enough time that nothing feels rushed, and if you tick the nervous patient box on our booking form, we'll take things slowly and explain each step as we go. You're welcome to stop at any point.
If you're with HBF, Medibank, HCF, nib or Bupa, we're a preferred provider, which usually means a smaller gap to pay out of pocket, though it's never free, and every fund's rules are a little different. We also use HICAPS so you can claim on the spot, and other funds can usually still claim too. If you're new to the practice, our new patients page has everything you need to know before your first visit.
Frequently asked questions
Can a gap between teeth close on its own?
In children, gaps between baby teeth and even early adult teeth sometimes close as more teeth come through. In adults, a gap usually won't close by itself, since the jaw has finished growing. If you're unsure whether yours might change, it's worth asking at a check-up.
Is a gap between teeth a sign of gum disease?
Not usually, but it can be in some cases. A new or widening gap, especially alongside loose teeth or bleeding gums, is worth mentioning at your next visit so it can be looked at properly.
What's the difference between clear aligners and veneers for closing a gap?
Clear aligners gradually move the teeth themselves into a new position, while veneers change the shape of the tooth surface to close the gap visually without moving the tooth. Which one suits you depends on the size and cause of your gap, and we'll talk this through at an exam.
Will my private health fund cover gap treatment?
This depends on your policy and the treatment involved. As a preferred provider for HBF, Medibank, HCF, nib and Bupa, we can often claim on the spot through HICAPS, and we'll always give you a written quote with item numbers so you can check with your fund before deciding.
Should children with a gap between their front teeth see a dentist?
It's a good idea to have any gap checked at a regular children's check-up, even if it looks likely to close on its own. This lets your dentist keep an eye on things as your child's adult teeth come through.
Talk to us about your gap between teeth
Whether you're curious about what's causing your gap, thinking about clear aligners or veneers, or just want a second opinion, our team at Hocking Dental Care is happy to help. You can choose a time online or call us on (08) 9306 2755 to book a visit. We're located at 92 Greenfields Circle, Hocking, with parking out the front, and for current appointment times, our contact page is the best place to check. If you'd rather sort it over the phone, just give us a call and we'll find a time that works.
