Do Spaces Between Teeth Widen with Age?

Extra space between teeth, also known as Diastema, is a very common concern for many people. While some gaps are a cosmetic concern, some can negatively impact oral health. A gap can be between any two teeth, but is often more noticeable between the front two. Gaps can vary in size. Some are small enough that they are hard to notice. Others are large enough that they can cause problems and be more than just a cosmetic issue.

Diastema is not caused by one thing in particular; there can be several contributing factors, such as missing teeth, your teeth being too small for your jaw, or an oversized frenum. The labial frenum is the strip of tissue connecting your upper lip to the center of your gums right above your top front two teeth. If your frenum is oversized and extends between the front two teeth, this can block them from coming together, causing a gap. Diastema can also develop from repeatedly pressing your tongue against your front teeth. For example, you should always press your tongue against the roof of your mouth when you swallow. If you press your tongue against the front of your teeth, that pressure can sometimes cause a gap to form over a long period of time. Another common cause is gum disease. As gum disease advances, infection can damage the bone supporting your teeth. As that bone density decreases, your teeth may shift, causing gaps to form.

Spacing With Age

As you grow older, just like getting wrinkles or losing hair, your teeth and oral health can change. There are a handful of reasons for this. One is that the muscles in the front of the mouth naturally relax over time. Another is periodontal disease, which develops when bacteria build up in the gum tissue. This bacterial buildup causes inflammation and can destroy the bone that holds the teeth in place. When that happens, the front teeth can flare and spread apart. Changes in your jawbone as you age can also affect the position of your teeth, causing them to crowd, overlap, shift, or spread apart.

Management & Treatment

There are many effective ways to close the gap between your teeth for health or cosmetic reasons.

Veneers & Dental Bonding: Veneers are strong, thin covers applied to the front of your teeth, similar to dental bonding but more customized and durable. Veneers are a good option for covering small to medium gaps between your teeth. Dental bonding is a common procedure used to cosmetically enhance your smile. A small amount of tooth-colored resin is applied directly to the teeth, which can change the shape of your teeth, correct chips or cracks, hide tooth discoloration, and close the spaces or gaps between your teeth.

Dental Implant: Single tooth implants are a popular choice for someone who may not want to undergo orthodontic treatment but is looking for a more permanent solution to their gap. A dental implant requires a titanium post to be surgically placed into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth. After the implant is in, a custom-made crown is attached to permanently fill the gap.

Frenectomy: A labial frenectomy involves removing the frenulum between the lip and the gum tissues. They are most commonly done on the upper lip. This prevents the upper frenulum from extending too far down the front two teeth, creating a gap.

Contact the office to schedule an appointment with the dentist if you are interested in fixing a gap between your teeth.

Related Article: Teeth Spacing Treatments