The appearance of new spaces between teeth during orthodontic treatment can be concerning, as the goal of braces is usually a straight, seamless smile. However, seeing gaps form is typically not a sign of treatment failure. Instead, it indicates that the orthodontic process is progressing as planned. Moving teeth into their final corrected positions is a gradual process involving strategic adjustments that often require the temporary creation of space.
Why Temporary Gaps Are a Necessary Step
Orthodontic treatment moves teeth through the jawbone by applying continuous, gentle pressure. This process is rarely a single, simultaneous movement. Instead, the orthodontist first focuses on achieving proper alignment and leveling across the dental arches.
During this initial phase, braces may pull severely crowded teeth out of tight positions. This temporarily concentrates the previous lack of space into a visible gap. This strategic space creation is necessary to give the teeth room to rotate and straighten before they can be brought together.
Intentional gap formation also relates to correcting the bite, or occlusion. For example, correcting an overbite may require moving the upper front teeth further back. This backward movement can momentarily open spaces behind them, which is a calculated step toward achieving a healthy jaw relationship. Furthermore, changing the archwire to a heavier, more rigid wire applies new forces that cause micro-movements and temporary separation between teeth. These temporary gaps confirm that the teeth are responding to the forces and are actively traveling toward their final positions.
How to Know If Your Gaps Are Normal
Most gaps are expected and are a normal part of the process, particularly those occurring early during the leveling and alignment phase. Normal gaps are typically small, appear symmetrically across the jaw, and are often noticed shortly after a wire adjustment or a change in elastics. These spaces result from the controlled biological process where bone tissue is broken down ahead of the tooth and built up behind it, allowing the tooth to slide along the archwire.
However, not all gap formation is planned. Patients should be aware of signs that may indicate an issue with the appliance itself. A gap that suddenly appears, rapidly grows large on only one side of the mouth, or is accompanied by pain, may signal a problem requiring immediate attention. This could be due to a loose bracket, a broken archwire, or a missing elastic tie that is no longer applying the correct force.
If you notice that a bracket has detached or if a piece of the appliance feels sharp or broken, contacting the orthodontic office promptly is advised. While most temporary gaps are fine, any uncertainty regarding the appliance’s integrity warrants a quick call to your provider. The orthodontist monitors the process every six to eight weeks, but damage to the hardware can alter the planned forces and should be checked.
Methods Used to Consolidate Space
Once the teeth are properly aligned and the temporary gaps have fulfilled their purpose, the final phase of treatment focuses on closing these spaces and consolidating the dental arch. Orthodontists use specialized tools to apply the continuous, steady force needed to draw the teeth together.
One of the most common methods involves power chains, which are continuous strands of elastic rings stretched over several brackets. These elastomeric chains exert a pulling force that gradually reduces the space between the teeth, though the force tends to degrade over the course of a month.
Alternatively, nickel-titanium (NiTi) closed coil springs may be used. These small springs are placed directly onto the archwire and compressed to create a pulling force. NiTi springs maintain a more consistent force level over a longer period compared to power chains, but both are effective tools for the job.
These devices are typically used in conjunction with a heavier, rectangular archwire. This rigid wire ensures that the teeth move bodily without tipping into the space. The active closure phase ensures that all the temporary spaces are sealed, delivering the final, aligned result.