Gap Teeth Before and After

One of the most common reasons people seek orthodontic treatment is to close gaps between their teeth. If you have noticeable gaps between your teeth, it might make you self-conscious and stop you from giving the world your most heartfelt smile. Here at Beverly Hills Orthodontics, we believe everyone deserves to show off their smile, and we’ll help you get the smile you love!

Having gap teeth can cause problems beyond your image and how your smile looks. Too much space between your teeth can lead to issues with functions like eating and speaking and can also be caused by gum recession. When you schedule an orthodontic consultation, we can help correct problems for better dental and overall health!

Gap Teeth Before and After Treatment at BHO

Here, we highlight two of our most recent success stories in this Gap Teeth Before and After Gallery. You can see how the expert team at BHO was able to reshape these smiles with orthodontic treatment.

Patient 1

This patient came to us with concerns about the gaps between several of her teeth. After wearing Invisalign aligners, she now has a phenomenal smile with tight contacts and no gaps.

Before

After

Patient 2

This patient came in as a child consultation to begin interceptive orthodontics and alter the alignment of her teeth while she was still growing and her teeth were naturally shifting. We were able to use Invisalign as the only treatment intervention, and after her growth and gentle alignment, she now has a wonderfully straight and photogenic smile.

Before

After

Patient 3

This patient came to us after previous orthodontic care and oral surgery to take the pressure off his gingival tissues (frenectomy). After his last treatment, the diastema (open space) between his front teeth opened back up, and he wanted to close it again. He used Invisalign aligners and we were able to close that space for him. He is very pleased with his smile and loves showing it off whenever he can!

Before

After

What Are Gap Teeth?

In a perfect bite, every tooth lightly touches the tooth next to it – this is called the “contact” or “contact area.” In some bites, if the contact is too tight, it can cause pain and create problems with oral hygiene when floss cannot pass between teeth. In other cases, the teeth don’t contact at all. This gap is called an “open contact.” Gap teeth happen for many reasons, some of which we list below:

Cause	Explanation
Genetics	Your genes play a significant role in how your jaw and teeth develop in childhood and adolescence. Some people have smaller teeth or wider jaw bones, which can create extra space.
Missing Teeth	If you were born without certain adult teeth (it’s more common than you’d think!), you probably see some extra space around the teeth that would have been neighbors to that missing tooth. Sometimes, there’s enough space for a surgeon to replace the missing tooth with a dental implant; when the space is too small, orthodontics may be able to close the gap.
Tight Gum Tissue	A small band of tissue (called the labial frenum) between your top and bottom front teeth connects your gums to your lips and helps stabilize and move the muscles in your mouth. Some clinicians believe When that connective tissue is too strong or tight, it puts extra pressure on the bone between the front teeth. This constant pressure can cause a wide space (diastema) between teeth. Without pressure-reducing surgery, the front teeth will spread back apart even after orthodontic treatment. There is debate around this being a causative factor.
Thumb-Sucking or Tongue-Thrusting	Extra pressure from your thumb or tongue can move teeth out of their natural position and may even change the shape of your jaw. This pressure can also spread teeth further apart and cause spaces to develop between them.

Here at Beverly Hills Orthodontics, we specialize in closing gap teeth and have worked on numerous cases since opening in 2008. With offices located in Beverly Hills, Downtown LA, Studio City, and Alhambra, everyone in the Los Angeles area can access the best orthodontic care available.

How Are Gap Teeth Treated?

Braces: Traditional orthodontic braces include metal brackets bonded to the teeth and connected by a metal archwire. The pressure from the wire on the brackets pulls the teeth into the correct position safely and effectively.

Invisalign: Clear aligners work via the same principle as traditional braces but exert force on the teeth with clear trays instead of brackets and wires. Invisalign offers many of the benefits of traditional braces without the common problems.

Surgery: In some cases, oral surgery may be necessary to move the jaw bones more drastically than other orthodontic measures allow for treating gap teeth. BHO has been involved in many surgical cases and can give you all the necessary details that apply to your case.

Gum Contouring: In cases with a strong labial frenum attachment, gum contouring can help loosen the connective tissue and reduce the force pulling on the front teeth. Gum contouring also has aesthetic value in reshaping the gums around teeth after the spaces have been closed.

Retainers: Once your teeth are in perfect alignment, retainers will help you keep them that way for life. There are many types of retainers to choose from, so ask your orthodontist about which style is right for you.

Why Should You Consider Orthodontic Treatment for Your Gap Teeth?

Improved Appearance. Some people are self-conscious about the extra spaces between their teeth. Orthodontic treatment can eliminate those spaces and give people a smile they love!
Better Function. Extra space between teeth, especially front teeth, can change the way you form words and sounds. Spaces between back teeth can affect your ability to eat and chew. Getting orthodontic treatment to close gaps between teeth can give you better functionality and make your life easier!
Prevent Future Problems. Having spaces between your teeth can get food trapped in that spot. Trapped food can lead to dental cavities and gum disease, which can turn into bone loss. By closing those gaps now with orthodontic treatment, you can prevent future problems from developing.

Beverly Hills Orthodontics Provides the Best Treatment for Gap Teeth in Los Angeles

Having spaces between your teeth can affect how you feel about your smile, but it can also cause more functional problems if not treated. With the cases selected above, you have seen a glimpse of the phenomenal work we do here at BHO. Our team of experts is ready to meet you and evaluate your teeth to develop a treatment plan as unique as you are! If you’re concerned about the gaps between your teeth, orthodontic treatment options include:

Braces
Invisalign
Surgery
Gum contouring
Retainers

Gap teeth can often be corrected with orthodontics in 3-24 months. Schedule your consultation with BHO to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your orthodontic needs and fits into your schedule.

Dr. Monica Madan is our founder and the lead orthodontist at BHO. As an Ivy League graduate, she keeps all our offices at the forefront of orthodontic treatment and knowledge. Dr. Madan is a Blue Diamond Top 1% Invisalign provider – one of only four in California – so you can be sure you are receiving the very best care available to close your gap teeth.

Want to get more before and after information about gap teeth? Call or text BHO at 310-785-0770 or visit our contact page to book a consultation and start your path toward a brighter smile.

NOTE: All blog content is intended to supplement—NOT REPLACE—the expertise of a healthcare professional and should not be construed in any way as medical advice. Consult a professional orthodontist directly, like the ones at BHO, to assess your individual needs and advise the best course of treatment.

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