Braces are a highly effective method for closing gaps between teeth, known medically as a diastema. This space most commonly occurs between the upper front teeth. Orthodontic treatment provides a comprehensive way to move the teeth together and correct the underlying alignment issues that cause the spacing. Braces use controlled forces to physically shift teeth across the jawbone, resulting in the permanent closure of the space.
The Underlying Causes of Dental Gaps (Diastema)
Diastema formation is often multifactorial, stemming from a disproportion between the size of the teeth and the size of the jawbone. If the teeth are naturally small relative to a large jaw, spaces can appear throughout the dental arch. Spaces can also result from missing teeth, a condition called hypodontia, or from teeth that are undersized, such as peg laterals.
Certain oral habits can also contribute to gap formation by placing repetitive pressure on the teeth over time. These habits include thumb sucking, lip sucking, and tongue thrusting, where the tongue pushes against the front teeth instead of resting on the roof of the mouth during swallowing. Another frequent biological cause is an enlarged labial frenum, the band of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum line. If this frenum is thick or attaches too low between the front teeth, it can physically push them apart.
How Braces Specifically Close Gaps
Braces close gaps by applying continuous, light forces that trigger a natural biological process in the jawbone. This process, known as bone remodeling, involves two types of cells: osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Osteoclasts break down the bone tissue directly in the path of the moving tooth, while osteoblasts rebuild new bone behind the tooth’s root in its new position.
The orthodontic hardware facilitates this precise movement. Brackets are bonded to the teeth, and a flexible archwire connects these brackets, acting as a track. To close the space, an orthodontist will often use elastic chains, also called power chains, which are a series of connected elastic rings stretched across the brackets. These chains exert a steady pulling force to draw the teeth together along the archwire.
Retention and Preventing Gap Recurrence
The tendency for the gap to reopen, known as relapse, is particularly common following diastema closure. For this reason, a retention phase is mandatory for long-term stability. Retention helps the periodontal fibers stabilize and the bone to fully solidify around the newly positioned roots.
Orthodontists typically recommend a fixed or bonded retainer, which is a thin wire permanently cemented to the tongue-side surface of the teeth. This type of retainer is highly effective at preventing the front teeth from separating again. Removable retainers, like Hawley or clear aligner styles, may be used as an alternative, but fixed retention is often preferred for maintaining closed spaces.
Other Treatments for Gap Closure
While braces are effective for all sizes of diastema, other dental procedures exist for gap closure, especially for smaller spaces. For minor gaps, dental bonding is a popular, single-visit option where a tooth-colored composite resin is sculpted and hardened onto the surface of the teeth. Porcelain veneers are another cosmetic solution, involving thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front of the teeth to mask the space and improve overall tooth shape and color.
For gaps caused by an enlarged labial frenum, a surgical procedure called a frenectomy is often a necessary part of the treatment plan. A frenectomy removes or modifies the restrictive tissue to eliminate the physical force that is pushing the teeth apart. The procedure is usually performed after the teeth have been brought together with braces to ensure the gap stays closed. Addressing the underlying frenum issue is an important adjunct to orthodontic treatment to minimize the risk of relapse.