I’ll be 17 yrs old in June. What are the chances that a gap between my two front will close when my wisdom teeth come in? My dad can’t really afford Invisalign, so I hope I don’t need it. Can a gap close on its own? Also, do those rubber bands I see on YouTube close a gap? My friend said I would wait until I get a job and get veneers. What do you suggest? Thank you. Dixon from AL
Dixon – A gap or space between your teeth is called a diastema.
Will Invisalign Work for a Gap?
Several factors determine whether the gap will close after your wisdom teeth erupt. If not, Invisalign or another form of orthodontic treatment can help.
One factor is the size of the space between your teeth. If the gap is small, and your wisdom teeth can erupt completely, the space may close. But many people don’t have enough room in their mouth for wisdom teeth to fully erupt, so a gap needs to be closed by orthodontic treatment or cosmetic dentistry.
At times, tissue between the teeth—labial frenum—stretches from the upper lip to the gums and prevents the gap from closing. If the frenum prevents the gap from closing, a dentist or specialist must remove the tissue. Braces or Invisalign can close the gap.
What About Rubber Bands for a Tooth Gap?
Closing a gap between your teeth is not something you should try on your own. Do-it-yourself orthodontics, such as rubber bands, can incorrectly move your teeth, causing them to twist or leave spaces between your teeth that didn’t exist before.
Porcelain Veneers for a Tooth Gap
After your permanent teeth fully develop, a dentist can place porcelain veneers on front teeth to hide the gap between them. You can receive veneers in a few weeks, but it will take months—up to a year for braces to close a gap.
Look for an advanced cosmetic dentist to get high-quality veneers and results that look so professional that no one can tell you had dental work.
Lowell, Massachusetts, accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek sponsors this post.