When you look in the mirror and smile, what is the first thing you see? For many of our patients here at Dental Care of Beverly Hills, the eyes go straight to that small space between the two front teeth. In the dental world, we call this a diastema. For you, it might be a trademark feature that adds character to your face, or it might be something that makes you hide your smile in photos.
I have sat down with countless patients who are torn between two choices. Should they embrace the gap as a unique part of their look, or should they seek treatment to close it? It is a question that balances aesthetics, dental health, and personal confidence. There is no single “right” answer, but there is definitely a right answer for you.
In this guide, I want to walk you through everything you need to know about gap teeth. We will look at why they happen, the trend of keeping them, and the modern methods we use for diastema closure if you decide you want a seamless smile.
Understanding Diastema: Why Do Gaps Happen?
Before we make any big decisions, it helps to understand what is going on inside your mouth. A diastema can appear anywhere, but it is most common between the two upper front teeth. While it might seem like the teeth just decided to move apart on their own, there is usually a specific biological reason behind it.
For many of my patients, genetics plays the biggest role. If one of your parents had a gap, there is a good chance you might have one too. It often comes down to a mismatch between the size of your jaw bone and the size of your teeth. If you have a larger jaw but average-sized teeth, there is going to be extra room, and the teeth will space out.
Another very common culprit involves the tissue inside your lip. We call this the labial frenum. It is that little piece of tissue that connects your upper lip to your gums. In some people, this tissue grows down too far and passes between the front teeth. When this happens, it acts like a physical barrier, preventing the teeth from touching naturally.
Habits can also create gaps over time. Tongue thrusting is a swallowing reflex where the tongue pushes against the front teeth rather than the roof of the mouth. Over years, that constant pressure can push teeth forward and apart. Similarly, gum disease can cause bone loss, leading to loose teeth that drift and create spaces.
The Argument for Keeping the Gap
In recent years, the conversation around gap teeth has shifted dramatically. We have seen a surge in what I like to call “smile positivity.” It is no longer automatically assumed that a perfect smile means a uniform, piano-key set of teeth. We see famous models, actors, and musicians rocking their gaps on magazine covers and red carpets.
There is a certain charm to a diastema. It implies youthfulness and approachability. For some, closing the gap would feel like erasing a part of their identity. If your gap is healthy—meaning it isn’t causing gum issues or speech impediments—keeping it is a perfectly valid and confident choice. We support our patients who want to maintain their unique look just as much as we support those who want to change it.
However, if you choose to keep it, you must be diligent about hygiene. Food gets trapped in gaps much easier than in tight contacts. This can lead to gum irritation if you aren’t flossing correctly. So, if you keep the gap, promise me you will keep it clean!
When Diastema Closure Is the Better Path
While the gap is trendy for some, for others, it is a source of insecurity or dental dysfunction. Not every gap is purely cosmetic. Sometimes, the space can cause problems that go beyond how you look in a selfie.
From a functional standpoint, large gaps can affect your speech. They can cause a whistling sound when you talk, which some adults find unprofessional or embarrassing. Furthermore, if the gap is caused by missing teeth or gum disease, ignoring it can lead to further shifting of the remaining teeth. This can throw off your bite alignment, leading to jaw pain or uneven wear on your enamel.
But the most common reason patients come to me asking about diastema closure is simply confidence. If you find yourself covering your mouth when you laugh or smiling with your lips closed, the gap is negatively impacting your quality of life. You deserve to feel amazing when you smile.
Data Point: The Confidence Factor
The impact of a smile on self-esteem is measurable. According to a study by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 99.7% of adults believe a smile is an important social asset. If your gap is holding you back from socializing or feeling your best, that is a strong indicator that closing it might be the right move for you.
Your Options for Closing the Gap
If you have decided that you are ready to close the space, you are in luck. Modern dentistry offers several incredible ways to achieve this. At Dental Care of Beverly Hills, we tailor the approach based on the size of the gap, the time you want to spend, and your budget.
1. Dental Bonding: The Quick Fix
For smaller gaps, dental bonding is often my go-to recommendation. This is the least invasive procedure and can usually be completed in a single visit. It involves applying a tooth-colored resin material to the sides of the teeth.
I sculpt this material to widen the teeth slightly, effectively closing the space between them. We use a special light to harden the resin, and then we polish it to match the sheen of your natural enamel. It requires no anesthesia and involves zero pain.
Pros:
- Completed in one appointment (usually under an hour).
- Most affordable option.
- Reversible in many cases.
- Minimal removal of natural tooth structure.
Cons:
- Resin is not as strong as natural teeth or porcelain.
- It can stain over time from coffee, tea, or wine.
- Usually needs to be touched up or replaced every 5 to 7 years.
2. Porcelain Veneers: The Beverly Hills Standard
When patients want that “Hollywood” result, we look at porcelain veneers. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells of ceramic that cover the front surface of your teeth. Unlike bonding, which is like a patch, veneers are a complete resurfacing.
To close a gap with veneers, we make the veneers slightly wider than your natural teeth. When they are placed, they meet in the middle, hiding the space perfectly. This is often the best choice if you have other aesthetic issues you want to fix at the same time, such as discoloration, chips, or oddly shaped teeth.
Pros:
- Highly stain-resistant.
- Extremely durable (can last 15+ years).
- Looks completely natural and mimics light reflection like real enamel.
- Fixes multiple cosmetic issues at once.
Cons:
- Higher cost than bonding.
- Irreversible (we usually have to remove a tiny amount of enamel to fit them).
- Requires two visits (one for prep, one for placement).
3. Orthodontics: The Natural Route
If your teeth are healthy and shaped beautifully, and the only issue is their position, moving them is the best option. We can use clear aligners (like Invisalign) or traditional braces to physically move the teeth together.
This is diastema closure in its truest form because we aren’t making the teeth look wider; we are actually closing the gap. This is vital if the gap is very large. If we tried to close a huge gap with veneers or bonding, your front teeth would look unnaturally wide, like “chicklet” teeth. Orthodontics avoids this problem.
Data Point: Adult Orthodontics
You are never too old to move your teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists reports that one in three orthodontic patients today is an adult. The stigma of adult braces is gone, especially with invisible aligner technology.
Pros:
- Keeps your natural tooth structure intact.
- Permanent results (as long as you wear your retainer).
- Corrects bite issues and alignment problems simultaneously.
Cons:
- Takes the longest time (months or even a year).
- Requires discipline to wear aligners or maintain braces.
- Usually more expensive than simple bonding.
The Role of the Frenum
I mentioned earlier that a large labial frenum (the tissue under the lip) can cause a gap. If this is the case for you, simply closing the gap with braces might not work permanently. The tissue can act like a rubber band, pushing the teeth apart again after the braces come off.
In these cases, we perform a simple procedure called a frenectomy. We use a laser to gently remove or reduce that excess tissue. It is a quick healing process and ensures that once we close the gap, it stays closed.
Financial Considerations
I know that cost is a major factor in any dental decision. Because diastema closure is often considered a cosmetic procedure, standard dental insurance may not cover the full cost of veneers or bonding unless there is a functional medical need.
However, orthodontic treatment often has partial coverage depending on your plan. At Dental Care of Beverly Hills, we believe financial constraints shouldn’t stop you from getting the smile you want. We offer various financing plans to break the cost down into manageable monthly payments. During your consultation, we provide a full breakdown so there are no surprises.
What to Expect During Your Consultation
If you are reading this and thinking, “Okay, I think I want to fix it,” the next step is a consultation. When you come into our office, the appointment is all about information gathering. We are not going to pressure you into a procedure you don’t need.
First, we take digital X-rays to look at the bone structure and root positioning. We need to make sure there is no gum disease or bone loss causing the gap. Then, we take photos of your smile from different angles.
We discuss your goals. Do you want a subtle change or a total makeover? We can even do a “mock-up” in many cases. This involves placing temporary composite material on your teeth (without gluing it permanently) just to show you what you would look like with the gap closed. Seeing the change on your own face is often the moment that helps patients make their final decision.
Maintaining Your New Smile
Once you undergo diastema closure, maintenance is key. If you chose bonding, you need to avoid biting into very hard foods like ice or hard candy with your front teeth, as the resin can chip. If you chose veneers, you treat them much like natural teeth, but you might want to wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth while sleeping.
If you chose orthodontics, the most critical step is the retainer. I tell all my patients: “Retention is for life.” Teeth have a memory; they want to drift back to their original spots. Wearing a retainer at night ensures your investment lasts forever.
It Is Your Smile, Your Choice
Whether you decide to keep your signature gap or close it for a seamless look, the most important outcome is that you feel happy. There is no dental rule that says a gap is “bad.” It is only a problem if it bothers you or threatens your oral health.
At Dental Care of Beverly Hills, we combine artistry with medical expertise to help you achieve your vision. We love seeing the transformation in our patients—not just in their teeth, but in how they carry themselves. If you are curious about what your smile could look like without the gap, or if you just want to ensure your current gap is healthy, I invite you to reach out to us.
Let’s take a look at your smile together and map out the best path forward. You deserve a smile that makes you want to show it off to the world, every single day.
