Gap Between Your Teeth? Let Us Help You Close It
A space between your teeth, often called a diastema, is very common and almost always treatable. Some gaps are purely cosmetic, while others are worth a closer look, and there is more than one comfortable way to close them. We help you find the option that fits your smile and your budget.
- Mesquite
- Garland
- Balch Springs
Why You Have a Gap Between Your Teeth
A gap can show up for several reasons, and most have nothing to do with anything you did. Here are the most common reasons a space opens up between teeth.
Teeth and Jaw Size
When teeth are smaller than the jaw they sit in, there is extra room, and natural spacing or a gap can appear, often between the two front teeth.
A Large Labial Frenum
The small band of tissue between your lip and gums can sit low and push the front teeth apart, leaving a gap right in the middle of your smile.
Missing or Undersized Teeth
If a tooth is missing or smaller than usual, the neighboring teeth can drift, which opens a space where the tooth would normally be.
Childhood Habits
Thumb sucking or long-term pacifier use can press on developing front teeth over time and slowly push them forward into a gap.
Gum Disease and Bone Loss
When gum disease weakens the bone that holds teeth in place, teeth can loosen and shift, and new gaps may appear as they move.
Natural Tongue Pressure
A habit of pressing the tongue against the front teeth, sometimes called tongue thrust, can gradually push the teeth apart and keep a gap open.
Three Ways to Close a Gap
There is no single right answer for a gap. The best choice depends on the size of the space, your bite, and your goals. Here are the three approaches we use most.
Invisalign or Braces
Gently moves your real teeth together to close the gap and improve the bite at the same time. Best for larger gaps or when other teeth need aligning too.
Typical timeframe: a few months to over a year
Dental Bonding
Tooth-colored material is shaped onto the edges of the teeth to fill a small gap in one visit. A gentle, lower-cost option with no drilling.
Typical timeframe: a single appointment
Veneers
Thin custom shells bond to the front of the teeth to close the gap and reshape the smile. A longer-lasting cosmetic option for the right case.
Typical timeframe: two or three visits
When a Gap Is Worth a Closer Look
Many gaps are harmless and stable for years. A few signs, though, mean the space is worth checking sooner rather than later. Call your nearest Inspire Dental location if you notice any of the following:
- A gap that is new or getting wider in adulthood
- Teeth that feel loose or have started to shift or drift apart
- Gums that are red, swollen, or bleed, along with the spacing
- Food packing tightly into the space and irritating the gum
- A gap that makes it hard to bite, chew, or speak comfortably
A gap that is changing can sometimes point to gum disease or shifting teeth. Looking early often keeps the fix simpler and protects the teeth around it.
How We Close the Gap
Treatment starts with understanding why the gap is there and what you want your smile to look like. From there, we match the method to your case, always starting with the option that gives you the most natural result.
Invisalign to Move Teeth Into Place
For larger gaps or when the bite needs work, clear aligners gently shift your own teeth together over time. They are removable, comfortable, and nearly invisible while you wear them.
Learn about Invisalign →Dental Bonding for Smaller Gaps
When the space is small, we can often close it in a single visit by shaping tooth-colored material onto the teeth. There is no drilling, and the result blends right in.
Learn about dental bonding →Some gaps are best left as they are, and we will tell you honestly if that is the case. We always explain the choices first so you can decide. For trusted background reading, the Cleveland Clinic has a clear overview of diastema, or a gap between the teeth, and the American Dental Association explains how orthodontic treatment can move teeth into better positions.
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Gaps closed with options that fit your smile
Since 2017
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Ready to Close the Gap?
Book online or call the location closest to you. We accept Medicaid, CHIP, and most PPO plans, with flexible payment plans to fit your budget.
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Trusted, Honest Care for Your Smile
Inspire Dental & Orthodontics was founded in 2017 by Dr. Patel and Dr. Paul, two dentists who grew up in this community. Every gap is reviewed by a licensed dentist who explains your options and gives you a plan you understand before we begin. Our bilingual team has earned more than 2,700 five-star reviews from families at our offices in Mesquite, Garland, and Balch Springs.
Smiles With the Gap Closed
Real reviews from patients who came in wanting to close a gap and left loving the way their smile looks.
I always felt self-conscious about the space between my front teeth. They walked me through every option and we went with bonding. It was done in one visit and you cannot even tell where the gap was. I smile so much more now.
My daughter had a wide gap between her front teeth and we chose Invisalign. The team explained the whole plan and the cost up front. The gap is closed and her bite is better too. Such a patient and friendly office.
Tenía un espacio entre los dientes de adelante que no me gustaba. El doctor me explicó las opciones con calma y elegimos la mejor para mí. El resultado quedó muy natural y estoy feliz con mi sonrisa. Un equipo muy amable y profesional.