A gap between two teeth, medically known as a diastema, is a common occurrence, most frequently appearing between the two upper front teeth. The desire for a quick, inexpensive resolution often leads people to search for do-it-yourself (DIY) methods. However, attempting to close a tooth gap without professional supervision carries significant and often irreversible risks to long-term oral health. Safe, effective, and predictable solutions for closing a diastema exist, but they require the guidance of a dental professional. This article outlines why at-home fixes are dangerous and details the medically sound treatment options available.
The Dangers of Attempting At-Home Closure
The appeal of a fast, cheap fix has unfortunately popularized highly dangerous methods for closing tooth gaps, primarily involving the misuse of household items. Using simple elastic bands, often called “gap bands,” is one of the most widely condemned practices by dental experts. These tiny rubber bands can slide up the tooth and become lodged below the gum line, where they are invisible and extremely difficult to remove.
Once beneath the gum, the elastic band applies constant, uncontrolled pressure to the tooth root and surrounding soft tissue. This force can cut off the blood supply and destroy the periodontal ligament, which holds the tooth securely in the jawbone. The resulting damage can lead to severe gum infection, bone loss, and root resorption, often resulting in the permanent loss of the tooth and requiring expensive surgical intervention.
Other unauthorized materials, such as fishing line, dental floss, or super glue, introduce severe hazards. Non-dental materials are not biocompatible and can introduce bacteria and toxins, increasing the risk of infection. Super glue is toxic and unsuitable for the mouth. Furthermore, using metal wires or paper clips can scrape away the protective enamel layer, weakening the teeth and increasing susceptibility to decay.
The movement of teeth is a complex biological process that must be carefully managed to ensure the entire tooth—root, ligament, and bone—moves together safely. Attempting to force teeth without the calibrated force and professional oversight of an orthodontist can cause the teeth to tilt or move laterally without proper root alignment. This results in an unstable bite, further misalignment, and damage to the jawbone structure. The short-term goal of closing a gap is not worth the high risk of permanent oral disfigurement and health complications.
Common Causes of Tooth Gaps (Diastema)
Understanding the origin of a tooth gap is a necessary step before determining the correct professional treatment. A common cause of diastema is a natural discrepancy between the size of the teeth and the size of the jawbone. If the jaw is relatively large compared to the size of the teeth, excess space will naturally exist between them.
Another frequent contributor is the presence of an oversized labial frenum, which is the small piece of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum line between the two front teeth. If this frenum is thick or extends too far down the gum, it can physically prevent the two central incisors from coming together, creating a persistent midline gap.
Oral habits can also result in the development of a gap. For instance, tongue thrusting, where the tongue pushes against the back of the front teeth during swallowing, can gradually push the teeth apart. Similarly, prolonged thumb sucking can exert continuous pressure. Missing or undersized teeth (peg laterals) also allow adjacent teeth to drift, which can create or widen spaces.
Safe and Effective Professional Treatment Options
Professional dental treatment for a diastema is highly individualized, depending entirely on the underlying cause and the size of the gap. For smaller gaps, restorative dentistry offers non-orthodontic options that can close the space quickly and effectively. Dental bonding, which uses a tooth-colored composite resin, is a minimally invasive and affordable solution. The dentist applies the resin directly to the tooth surface, sculpts it to widen the teeth slightly, and then hardens it with a special light to close the space in a single visit.
A more durable and aesthetically refined option is the placement of porcelain veneers. Veneers are custom-made, thin shells of porcelain bonded to the front surface of the teeth. This option allows the dentist to precisely control the shape, size, and color of the teeth, offering a permanent, stain-resistant cosmetic solution. While veneers require the removal of a thin layer of enamel for proper fit, they are often preferred for their longevity, typically lasting ten to fifteen years or more.
For larger gaps, or when the diastema is part of a broader misalignment issue, orthodontic treatment is the most comprehensive and structurally sound solution. Traditional braces or clear aligner systems work by applying gentle, calibrated forces to move the entire tooth, including the root, into the correct position. Orthodontics addresses the root cause of the spacing by reorganizing the entire dental arch, resulting in a stable and functional bite.
If an oversized frenum is identified as the cause of the gap, a simple surgical procedure called a frenectomy may be performed. This procedure removes or reduces the band of tissue, eliminating the physical barrier that prevents the teeth from meeting. A frenectomy is often performed in conjunction with orthodontic treatment to prevent the gap from reopening. Regardless of the chosen path, a professional treatment plan ensures the teeth are moved safely and the final position is stable, often requiring the use of a retainer to maintain the results long-term.