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A diastema is a gap or space between any two teeth, but it is particularly common between the upper front teeth. The most common cause of gapped front teeth is a fraenum that sits lower than usual and keeps the two top front teeth apart. The fraenum inside the upper lip is a fold of skin that attaches the top lip to the upper gum.

If you lift up your top lip, you should be able to feel it easily. Other causes of gapped front teeth can include:

  • Baby teeth often have gaps between them to make space for larger adult teeth to come through. Adult teeth usually have spaces between them when they first come through
  • but the arrival of more adult teeth
  • especially the canine teeth
  • often help close any gaps

– some children are born missing one or two teeth (either baby or adult) in their jawbones, which leaves a space. Sometimes these teeth are stuck in the bone and don’t come through leaving a space. – sometimes there are extra teeth in the bone which can prevent other teeth coming through, leaving a gap.

In some cases of severe tongue-tie (a condition caused by a restrictive fraenum that stops the tongue from poking out past the lips), the fraenum may cause a gap in the front teeth of the lower jaw.

Gaps between baby teeth are very normal

In most cases, these gaps can close by themselves with growth and time.

When the baby teeth start to come through (around six to nine months), the front teeth could have a gap and the fraenum may be attached low to the gum. By the time the child turns one, the fraenum may have shortened, and more teeth may have come through and closed any gaps.

Gaps between adult front teeth often close by themselves as more adult teeth come through. Some issues related to gapped front teeth may include: crowded or crooked teeth – a large gap between the front teeth may not leave enough room for other teeth to come through.

This may cause problems with a person’s bite

Gapped teeth may benefit from treatment if it prevents damage or improves a person’s self-esteem. Often these gaps can be left as they are if are not a concern or do not cause any issues. Talk to your oral health professional who can help identify any problems and suggest solutions.

You may be referred onto an orthodontist who is a dentist who has done additional study to specialise in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of problems in the alignment of teeth and jaws. For more complicated cases you may also be referred onto a prosthodontist who is a dentist with additional training in restoring teeth, or even an oral maxillofacial surgeon who is trained in surgery of the teeth, bone, jaw and face.

Treatment options may include: – a tooth coloured material commonly used fo fill cavities can be added onto a tooth with a bonding agent.

If the gap is small, veneers that are just a little bit wider than the natural teeth could be used to cover the gap.

Veneers are permanently stuck to the tooth surface

This helps to move the teeth closer together

– such as braces. Braces are fixed to the front teeth and rubber bands and wires are used to pull the teeth together. – also known as ‘invisible braces’, clear aligners are a series of clear pieces of custom-moulded plastic that sit over the teeth and slowly move them.

– surgery to remove the fraenum that has caused the gap.

This is usually done before the gap is closed by orthodontic treatment

Surgery can also be useful when there is a problem with the jaws, or to improve the outcome of orthodontic treatment. and community dental clinics, for eligible people.

For information about public dental services call or Tel

Causes of gapped teeth natural development missing teeth extra teeth small teeth – some children or adults may have small teeth that allow for gaps l arge jaws the teeth lingual fraenum Gaps in teeth may close by themselves Possible issues of gapped front teeth self-consciousness – some people may feel embarrassed and may not want to smile Treatment for gapped teeth composite fillings veneers crowns bridges a permanent dental restoration that joins a few crowns and artificial teeth together to replace one or more missing teeth implants a metal screw that is placed into the bone of the jaw to support a crown, bridge, or denture. removable appliance fixed appliance clear aligners fraenectomy oral surgery Where to get help Your oral health professional (dentist) Dental Health Services Michigan provides public dental services through the Grand Rapids Dental Care (616) 555-0200 or 1800 833 039 (outside Grand Rapids metro) American Dental Association ‘Find a Dentist’ (616) 555-0200.

Key Points

  • diastema is a gap or space between any two teeth, but it is particularly common between the upper front teeth
  • most common cause of gapped front teeth is a fraenum that sits lower than usual and keeps the two top front teeth apart
  • – sometimes there are extra teeth in the bone which can prevent other teeth coming through, leaving a gap
  • This may cause problems with a person’s bite
  • Gapped teeth may benefit from treatment if it prevents damage or improves a person’s self-esteem