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November 12, 2026
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Diastema: How to Close a Gap Between Teeth
Diastema is a gap between the two upper front teeth. It can be closed in several ways: with braces or aligners (clear removable trays), veneers or crowns. Which one suits you depends on the cause of the gap. So we start not with choosing a method but with diagnosis.
Diastema and trema: what is the difference
A diastema is a gap between the central incisors (the two front teeth), most often the upper ones. It can be there from childhood or appear in adulthood. A trema is a gap between other teeth, for example between the lateral incisors (the teeth next to the two front ones) and the canines. In everyday speech the two words are mixed up, and at consultations we are often asked whether they are the same thing. They are not. They differ in position, but their causes and treatment are largely shared.
Why is there a gap between my teeth? What causes it
According to international studies and to our practice, in teenagers and adults a gap appears for these reasons:
- a mismatch between the size of the teeth and the jaw, for example small or peg-shaped lateral incisors;
- a missing tooth, so the neighbouring teeth drift apart;
- harmful habits: thumb sucking, pressing the tongue against the teeth;
- a low-attached, bulky frenulum of the upper lip (the fold of tissue between the lip and the gum);
- gum disease, in which the teeth shift outwards like a fan.
Many people think the frenulum is the main culprit. But according to international studies, it explains only a small part of persistent diastemas. So with a persistent gap we first look for other causes.
Gap between bottom teeth and between back teeth
At the bottom, a gap is more often linked to tongue pressure, a missing tooth or periodontitis (inflammation of the tissues around the tooth). This is what we see in practice. A gap between back teeth usually appears after a neighbouring tooth is removed or because of caries on the side surface of a tooth. Food constantly gets packed into it, and this irritates the gum.
Is it normal to have a gap between your teeth? A gap in a child: wait or treat
In a child
Most often temporary
- a gap during the change of teeth is part of normal development
- when the lateral incisors and canines erupt, the teeth shift and the gap gets smaller
- we usually put off moving teeth until the permanent canines have erupted
In an adult
We treat on request or by indications
- if the gap has always been there, it is not dangerous
- if it has appeared and is growing, it is a reason to check the gums
- treatment is possible at any age if the gums are healthy
We advise parents to show the child to a doctor if the gap is wide, is not getting smaller after the lateral incisors erupt, or comes with a harmful habit such as thumb sucking.
When a gap is a reason to pay attention
- a gap has appeared in an adult and is getting wider;
- the teeth have begun to spread outwards like a fan and have become loose;
- the gums bleed and there is a bad smell;
- food constantly gets stuck between the teeth.
New gaps in an adult can be a sign of gum disease. The information in this article is for general guidance and does not replace a consultation with a dentist.
Want to close the gap between your teeth?
At a consultation we will show which options for closing the diastema suit you.
Diastema treatment: how to get rid of the gap between your teeth and which method to choose
We choose the method according to the cause of the gap, its width, the condition of the teeth and your wishes. Below is a comparison of the main methods.
How a diastema is closed
| Method | What it changes | Speed | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braces or aligners | the position of the teeth, the tissues are not touched | months, then retention (fixing the result) | when the teeth have the right shape but stand apart |
| Veneers | the shape, width and colour of the teeth | a few visits | when the shape or colour of several teeth has to change |
| Crowns | the whole visible part of the tooth | a few visits | the teeth are already badly destroyed |
- What it changes
- the position of the teeth, the tissues are not touched
- Speed
- months, then retention (fixing the result)
- Who it suits
- when the teeth have the right shape but stand apart
- What it changes
- the shape, width and colour of the teeth
- Speed
- a few visits
- Who it suits
- when the shape or colour of several teeth has to change
- What it changes
- the whole visible part of the tooth
- Speed
- a few visits
- Who it suits
- the teeth are already badly destroyed
We do not advise frenulum surgery before orthodontic treatment and before the permanent lateral incisors have erupted. Here we rely on personal experience and on international reviews. Moving teeth is the job of our orthodontists, and changing their shape is the job of cosmetic dentistry.
Do braces close the gap between teeth?
Yes, this is one of the most natural ways, because the teeth stay your own. The gap is closed with braces or aligners, which are clear removable trays. But if the cause is small teeth, gaps between other teeth may remain after braces. Then the shape of the teeth is refined with veneers.
How to fix a gap between front teeth quickly
Veneers work faster than braces: the result is visible after a few visits, not months. Can you fill a gap between your teeth with veneers? Yes. But veneers change the shape of the teeth, not their position. So they do not suit everyone.
At consultations we are often asked to close the gap with veneers at once. In our practice, it is first important to find the cause and check the gums. If the gap appeared because of gum disease, veneers will not remove that cause.
Without retention, the gap tends to return after orthodontics. If the cause is gum disease, we treat the gums first and start the aesthetic treatment afterwards.
Cosmetic treatment prices at Cristi Dent
Prices are valid as of 19 October 2026. Digital Smile Design is a digital plan of the future smile. E.max veneers are made of glass ceramic. Ask about the cost of orthodontic treatment by phone or at a consultation. More about the price of veneers on the veneers page.
Choosing between braces and veneers?
Book a free consultation: we will compare the options on your teeth.
Where to get help
If you want to close a gap, start with a consultation. We will find the cause and suggest options that suit your teeth. We make veneers when changing the shape of the teeth is more sensible than moving them. We do this at Cristi Dent in Chișinău.
Sources
- Huang WJ, Creath CJ. The midline diastema: a review of its etiology and treatment. Pediatr Dent. 1995;17(3):171-179 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7617490
- Midline diastema and its aetiology: a review. Dent Update. 2014;41(5):457-464 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25073229
- Association between superior labial frenum and maxillary midline diastema: a systematic review. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2022;156:111063 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35248905
- StatPearls. Periodontal Disease www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554590
Images in the article: diastema: Ian Furst, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
What happens after the gap is closed
After braces we usually fit a retainer: a thin wire on the inside of the teeth or a night guard. Veneers need the same hygiene as your own teeth and regular check-ups.
Important to know in advance
- in children we more often watch a diastema than treat it;
- after braces we fit a retainer, otherwise the gap may return;
- if there is gum disease, we treat the gums first.
Frequently asked questions
We close the gap with braces or aligners, veneers or crowns. We choose the method according to the cause of the gap and the condition of the teeth.
In children we usually wait for the change of teeth, because the gap often closes by itself. In adults treatment is possible at any age if the gums are healthy.
If the gap has always been there and does not bother you, it is a matter of choice. Treatment is needed if the gap is getting wider, is linked to gum disease or food constantly gets stuck in it.
For veneers the teeth are usually ground down a little, but sometimes the grinding is minimal or not needed. So we make the decision after an examination.
A consultation with a specialist doctor at Cristi Dent is free. We will find the cause of the diastema and suggest options for your teeth.
ARTICLE AUTHOR
Chooses an aesthetic treatment plan taking the condition of the enamel into account, carries out professional hygiene and tooth polishing.