What Can I Do to Fill Spaces Between My Teeth?

By Brian J. Gray, DDS, MAGD, FICOI

Gaps between your teeth may be considered by many as unattractive and make you feel self-conscious about your personal appearance when in the public eye. If you have spaces between your teeth, and you want to do something about them, here's how. However, before you can make a decision on which treatment is the right one for you, it is important to know what causes spaces between teeth.

The Origin of Gapped Teeth

Each person is unique, and no one case presents a definitive reason why a space is present. Genetics can play a major role in how teeth form the mouth. If your parents have spacing between their teeth, it is a good chance that you will also.

Childhood habits that you acquire largely affect the position of your teeth. Breathing mostly through your mouth and sucking on your thumb are examples of habits that will affect the position of your teeth. Adults also can have habits, like forcing their tongue against their upper teeth or pen biting, that can gradually shift teeth throughout life. When the teeth shift, it can cause spacing or even jaw joint pain.

How to Correct the Spaces Between Your Teeth

There are four ways to correct the spaces between your teeth. Diagnosing the reason the spaces are present will determine which of the treatments will best suit your needs.

Gaps can be filled by:

• Orthodontics (moving the teeth)
• Bonding (bonded tooth-colored fillings)
• Veneering/Laminating (bonded porcelain facings)
• Crowning (capping)

Placing braces on your teeth in order to move them into their correct position usually is the most ideal treatment. Although using braces to move the teeth is the most time consuming, it also is the most beneficial. Orthodontics is used to place teeth so your bite is in harmony with your smile. Sometimes, the teeth have to be moved into harmony with your bite so the teeth can be restored to improve your smile. Not selecting to move the teeth through orthodontic treatment usually means that the person does not want to go through an extended period of time with braces on their teeth. All of the other treatments to fill the spaces, although they are very good treatments, are considered esthetic and functional compromises, and should be discussed with your cosmetic dentist in order to determine which treatment is best for you.