Spacing Treatment

The opposite of crowding, spacing simply means there is more space than necessary between the teeth. Spacing can affect all or some teeth; sometimes just the upper or lower teeth are affected.

What Causes Spacing?
Genetics plays a major role in how teeth are spaced. For example, spacing occurs if you inherit a large jaw from one parent and small teeth from the other. Chronic thumb- or finger-sucking can also create or widen spaces between the teeth. About 5 to 10 percent of the general population has abnormal gaps between their teeth.

Aside from Cosmetic Concerns, Is It Important to Close Up the Spaces?
As long as spaces between your teeth are not large enough to significantly affect your bite or your ability to chew, there is no medical reason to close the spaces. In fact, some spaces between the teeth facilitate cleaning and therefore indirectly reduce your risk for cavities and gum disease. If, however, food chronically gets stuck in the spaces, problems can ensue.

Adults who seek treatment usually do so for aesthetic reasons--they want a beautiful smile.

How is Spacing Treated?
If the spaces are not terribly wide, and the teeth are not crooked, the simplest and quickest solution is cosmetic bonding. The technique uses a "composite"--a type of resin, or glue, infused with microscopic quartz chips--which is applied like putty to the front of selected teeth. Once on the teeth, the composite is hardened, or cured, by exposure to a special dental light. The composite can then be shaped and polished. The whole process is completed in a single office visit that lasts from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how many teeth are being bonded.

Many cosmetic dentists offer computer-imaging technology that can give you a very good idea of how your teeth and smile will look after bonding. Computer imaging can also help you decide whether bonding or braces is the most appropriate treatment. If bonding is done when the spaces are too big, the result can look unnatural.

If the spaces are too large for bonding, braces are probably indicated.

How Long Does Treatment Last?
Treatment with braces tends to be brief--usually six to nine months, followed by a retainer to maintain the new tooth positioning for at least a year. Braces may be put on just the upper or lower teeth, depending on your needs. However, you may require a full set of braces if moving just the top or bottom teeth would throw off your bite.

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