Seeing a gap widen between your teeth while wearing braces can be confusing, since the goal of orthodontic treatment is usually to close spaces. This temporary widening, however, is a common and calculated step in the overall process of correcting your bite and aligning your teeth. Orthodontic treatment is a staged process designed to move teeth safely into their final, healthy positions. This initial phase focuses on positioning each individual tooth correctly, rather than immediately closing all spaces.
How Braces Move Teeth
Braces function by applying gentle, continuous pressure to the teeth using brackets, archwires, and elastic bands. This sustained force triggers a natural biological response in the surrounding bone, which is the foundation for all tooth movement. The tooth root is housed within the jawbone, connected by the periodontal ligament.
When the archwire exerts pressure, the ligament compresses on one side of the tooth and stretches on the opposite side. The body responds by initiating bone remodeling. Specialized cells called osteoclasts break down bone tissue on the compressed side, creating space for the tooth to move. Simultaneously, osteoblasts rebuild new bone on the tension side to stabilize the tooth in its new position. This continuous cycle allows teeth to shift gradually.
Why Gaps Widen During Initial Treatment
The initial stage is the Leveling and Alignment phase, which straightens the teeth and positions the roots correctly before closure begins. When the orthodontist places the first flexible archwire, it corrects individual tooth rotations. A rotated tooth takes up less space, but as the wire straightens it, the tooth occupies its full width, temporarily exposing a space next to it.
The wire also works to upright the roots, moving them into their proper vertical position within the jawbone. If a tooth’s crown is tilted, the wire may initially push the crown further out of alignment to achieve correct root positioning, creating a noticeable gap. This temporary spacing is a deliberate strategy to ensure the final alignment is stable.
For patients with severe crowding, the orthodontist may intentionally create small spaces. This allows crowded teeth to move out of their cramped positions. This strategic spacing concentrates movement into open areas, making the alignment process more predictable.
Tools Used to Close Gaps
Once the teeth are aligned and their roots are upright, the orthodontist begins the space closure phase. They utilize various appliances that apply controlled tension to pull the teeth together.
A common tool is the power chain, a continuous elastic chain stretched over a series of brackets. It acts like a stretched rubber band, constantly pulling teeth toward each other until the space is eliminated.
Another technique involves closing loops, which are specific bends placed into the archwire that act as a spring. When activated, this spring draws the teeth along the wire toward the center of the arch. Small coil springs may also be placed on the archwire to consolidate space.
Interarch elastics, or rubber bands, stretch between the upper and lower jaws. These help correct the bite relationship while simultaneously closing any remaining gaps. These methods are applied only after initial alignment is complete to ensure the teeth move as a straight unit.
When to Call Your Orthodontist
Although temporary gaps are often part of a normal treatment plan, certain issues require professional attention to keep treatment on track and prevent discomfort. Contact your orthodontist if you notice a bracket has become loose or detached from the tooth, as this stops the tooth from moving correctly.
Immediate care is needed if a wire has broken, is poking sharply into your cheek or gum, or has shifted significantly. You should also call the office if you experience severe or persistent pain that cannot be managed with over-the-counter pain relief or does not subside after a few days.
While some gap widening is expected, if a gap appears or grows rapidly and unevenly in a way that seems concerning, it warrants a quick consultation. Any change that makes eating or speaking difficult is also a reason to seek advice.