A diastema is the technical term for a gap or space between two teeth, most commonly seen between the two upper front teeth. Many individuals search for convenient, non-professional ways to close this space for cosmetic reasons. While the desire for a quick fix is understandable, attempting to move teeth without professional supervision carries significant health risks. This article informs the public about the severe dangers of do-it-yourself tooth movement and outlines the science-backed, safe alternatives available through licensed dental professionals.
Common DIY Methods and Associated Risks
The internet has popularized several methods for closing a diastema that rely on applying mechanical force to the teeth. These methods often involve using everyday items like rubber bands, including orthodontic elastics purchased online, or even hair ties. Other dangerous practices include using dental floss, makeshift wires, or applying household adhesives directly to the tooth surface. The greatest risk associated with these methods is the uncontrolled pressure they apply. Unlike professional orthodontic equipment, these items exert non-uniform, excessive force that rapidly damages the delicate structures supporting the teeth.
Rubber bands are especially hazardous because they can easily migrate beneath the gum line, a process that can happen quickly and without immediate detection. Once embedded, the band can wrap around the tooth root, effectively strangling the blood supply to the bone and soft tissue. This unmonitored pressure leads to severe soft tissue damage, including gum recession and deep lacerations that can cause infection. The continuous, uncalibrated force can rapidly destroy the bone surrounding the tooth root, potentially leading to root resorption or necrosis (tooth death). In many documented cases, the use of elastic bands has resulted in the affected tooth becoming loose and falling out, requiring extensive and costly surgical intervention to correct the damage.
Understanding the Biology of Tooth Movement
Moving a tooth safely is a complex biological process that requires precision and controlled force. A tooth is not rigidly fixed in the jawbone but is suspended within the socket by the periodontal ligament (PDL), a network of fibers approximately 0.5 millimeters wide. Safe tooth movement relies on a process called bone remodeling, which is regulated by the PDL’s response to light, continuous force.
When calibrated force is applied, the PDL experiences areas of compression and tension. On the compression side, specialized cells called osteoclasts are activated to resorb the adjacent alveolar bone. Simultaneously, on the tension side, osteoblasts are recruited to deposit new bone material. This coordinated cellular activity allows the tooth to slowly move through the bone without damaging its surrounding structures.
Excessive or sudden force, such as that produced by DIY methods, overwhelms the PDL, leading to a condition called hyalinization, where the tissue dies and becomes glass-like. This tissue death creates a lag phase where tooth movement stops until the necrotic tissue is removed. Heavy, uncontrolled force can crush the root surface or compromise the blood vessels and nerves that enter the pulp chamber at the root tip. This can lead to irreversible nerve damage or complete tooth death, requiring a root canal or extraction.
Moving one tooth also affects the entire occlusion, or bite, which is a complex system of how the upper and lower teeth meet. Attempting to close a gap in an uncoordinated manner can lead to malocclusion. Malocclusion causes issues like jaw pain, uneven wear, or the creation of new, unintended gaps elsewhere in the mouth. Professional oversight ensures that teeth are moved into a position that maintains the harmony and function of the entire bite.
Professional, Safe Solutions for Diastema
Licensed dental professionals offer several time-tested, approved treatments for closing a diastema. The most comprehensive solution for closing gaps and correcting underlying bite issues is orthodontics, which includes traditional braces and clear aligner systems. These methods apply light, calibrated forces over a long period, allowing for the necessary bone remodeling to occur safely.
For smaller gaps, a dentist may recommend cosmetic bonding, a non-invasive procedure completed in a single office visit. The dentist applies a tooth-colored composite resin directly to the teeth on either side of the space, skillfully shaping it to fill the gap and widen the appearance of the teeth. Another option is the use of porcelain veneers, which are thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front surface of the teeth. Veneers are a durable aesthetic solution often used for larger gaps or when minor shape corrections are also needed.
Sometimes, a diastema is caused by an oversized piece of tissue called the labial frenum that connects the upper lip to the gum line. In such cases, a minor surgical procedure called a frenectomy may be performed to reduce the size of this tissue. A frenectomy is often done before or during orthodontic treatment to ensure the gap closes completely and does not reappear later. Consulting with a dentist or an orthodontist is the necessary first step to determine the cause of the gap and to develop a personalized treatment plan.