Diastema or ‘Gappy’ Teeth

A diastema is the term used to describe a space between two teeth or ‘gappy teeth‘. The condition is also known as spacing or spaced teeth. while acceptable in some cultures, many people are self-conscious about spacing and can be embarrassed to smile in public. It is quite common for people to request treatment for gappy teeth at our Tunbridge Wells clinic.

Closing a diastema is usually fairly straight forward and there are several treatment options available for closing gaps. The team at Tunbridge Wells Orthodontics will be delighted to work with you to create a smile you’ll be proud of.

What causes gappy teeth?

There are several factors that can cause gappy teeth. For example, when there is a discrepancy between the size of the teeth and the available space within the jaws. While this usually occurs when the teeth are slightly smaller than average, it can also be a consequence of having large jaws.

Another common cause of spacing is missing teeth. Teeth may be missing congenitally or they may be impacted, failing to erupt into the mouth. This condition is sometimes accompanied by the presence of “peg laterals” which describes tiny, conical-shaped incisors that are usually accompanied by spacing.

If the teeth become spaced later on in life an assessment with your dentist or orthodontist is essential as the spacing can be a sign of gum disease. As periodontal disease progresses the teeth can lose some of that pony support and they begin to drift. As they drift forward gaps tend to open up between the teeth.

Can a diastema or gappy teeth be closed?

Yes, there are several options for closing spaces between your teeth. Your specialist at Tunbridge Wells Orthodontics has over a decade of experience in correcting gappy teeth. Invisalign clear aligners have become an increasingly popular way to fix gappy due to their concealed appearance and convenience of use.

At what age should gappy teeth be corrected?

It is important to note that gaps between the teeth are a good sign of healthy tooth development in young children. Gaps often close themselves when the adult teeth erupt into the mouth. If gaps are still present once all the adult teeth have come through it is likely that diastema orthodontic treatment will be needed to facilitate space closure.

Adults can also benefit from orthodontic treatment to close spaces between the teeth- age does not hinder successful treatment.

If the root cause of your diastema is gum disease, this must be stabilised before any orthodontic treatment can commence.

How do I get started with diastema orthodontics?

To get started, come and see Dr Woodhouse for a no-obligation free consultation where he will assess you, and discuss treatment options and costs.