Gaps between teeth: how to close a diastema

A gap between the teeth, most often the two front teeth, is called a diastema. Some people love their gap and keep it, while others want it closed. If you are in the second group, the good news is that there are several ways to do it, from simple to more involved. This article explains what causes gaps and the honest options for closing them.

What causes a gap

Gaps between teeth happen for various reasons: the natural size and spacing of your teeth relative to your jaw, the way the tissue between the front teeth is attached, missing teeth allowing others to drift, or habits in childhood. Understanding the cause matters, because it influences the best way to close the gap and whether it might otherwise return. A dentist assessing your gap looks at why it is there, not just the gap itself.

Orthodontics: moving the teeth together

For many gaps, the most natural solution is orthodontic treatment, moving the teeth closer together with braces or clear aligners. This actually closes the gap by repositioning your own teeth, without adding anything or removing tooth structure, which makes it the most conservative option. It takes longer than cosmetic alternatives, but the result is your own teeth in a better position. For larger gaps or where alignment is also an issue, orthodontics is often the soundest route.

Bonding: filling the gap

Composite bonding closes a gap by adding tooth-coloured material to the sides of the teeth to make them fractionally wider and meet. It is quick, often done in a single visit, relatively affordable, and removes little or no tooth. The trade-offs are that bonding can stain or chip over time and may need occasional maintenance. For a small gap and someone wanting a fast, conservative fix, bonding is an excellent option.

Veneers: reshaping the teeth

Veneers can close a gap by covering the teeth with slightly wider facings, which also lets you improve colour and shape at the same time. This suits someone who wants a broader smile makeover, not just gap closure, and a durable, natural-looking result. The consideration is that veneers involve some preparation of the teeth, so they are less conservative than bonding or orthodontics for gap closure alone, as our veneers article discusses. For the right case, they deliver a beautiful result.

How to choose

The right approach depends on your gap, your goals and how conservative you want to be. For gap closure alone with your own teeth, orthodontics is the most natural. For a quick, affordable, conservative fix of a small gap, bonding is ideal. For a wider smile transformation including the gap, veneers make sense. A good dentist explains all the options honestly and favours the least invasive one that meets your goal, rather than defaulting to the most extensive. Our aesthetics guide covers the wider picture.