The idea of using a common rubber band to close a space between your teeth, known as a diastema, has become a visible trend online. This do-it-yourself (DIY) approach promises a quick and cheap fix for a dental gap. However, dental professionals warn that this practice is extremely dangerous and can lead to severe, irreversible harm to your teeth and gums. The forces required to safely move teeth are highly precise and cannot be replicated using household materials, making this trend a serious risk to your oral health.
How Improper Force Damages Teeth
Dental movement is a complex biological process that requires the application of carefully regulated, gentle pressure. Professional orthodontic appliances, such as brackets and wires, control the exact direction and magnitude of this force. In contrast, a DIY rubber band applies an immense, uncontrolled, and continuous constricting force around the entire circumference of the teeth. This pressure is often not directed along the tooth’s long axis, which is necessary for stable bodily movement. Instead, the band frequently causes the teeth to tilt inward, known as ‘tipping,’ rather than moving the entire tooth root and crown together. The greatest danger lies in the band’s tendency to migrate apically because the tooth’s crown is wider than the root near the gum line. Once the band slips past the widest point of the crown, it continues to slide down beneath the gum line.
Specific Biological Dangers of DIY Bands
When a rubber band slips under the gum line, it exerts a destructive force on the periodontal structures. This foreign body initiates an intense inflammatory reaction, effectively strangling the delicate periodontal ligament. The continuous pressure cuts off the blood supply to the tissues surrounding the tooth root, leading to localized tissue necrosis and severe bone loss. This loss of supporting bone structure is a form of aggressive periodontitis, which can cause the tooth to become pathologically mobile and extrude from the socket. This process can ultimately result in root resorption and the complete loss of the tooth. Correcting the damage often necessitates complex, expensive treatments such as periodontal surgery, root canal therapy, or extraction and replacement with an implant.
How Orthodontists Use Elastics
The dangerous DIY use of rubber bands should not be confused with the controlled application of elastics by licensed orthodontists. Professional elastics are medical-grade devices, precisely calibrated to deliver specific, measured forces. These bands are used in conjunction with fixed appliances like braces or clear aligners, connecting to tiny hooks on brackets or specialized attachments. Their primary function is typically to correct complex bite alignment issues, known as malocclusions, by adjusting the relationship between the upper and lower jaws. Orthodontic elastics are never applied directly around the crown of a tooth to close a gap without a bracket or anchor to control the force vector.
Approved Methods for Closing Dental Gaps
Individuals seeking to safely close a gap between their teeth (diastema) have several professional, proven options. For comprehensive movement, orthodontic solutions such as traditional braces or clear aligner systems are the standard of care. These methods apply calculated forces over time to move the teeth into a stable, healthy position.
Cosmetic Options
For smaller, purely cosmetic gaps, non-orthodontic procedures offer faster aesthetic results. Composite bonding involves applying a tooth-colored resin material to the teeth and sculpting it to fill the space, typically in a single visit. Porcelain veneers are another option, where thin, custom-made shells are bonded to the front surface of the teeth. If the gap is caused by an oversized piece of gum tissue that attaches between the front teeth, a minor surgical procedure called a frenectomy may be required, often followed by a cosmetic or orthodontic treatment.