What Is a Diastema, and Should the Gap Be Closed?
A diastema is a space between teeth, most often between the two upper front teeth. A long-standing gap may simply be part of your smile and doesn't need treatment if your teeth and gums are healthy. A new or widening gap in adult teeth is different. It should be evaluated before any cosmetic treatment, because it can be a sign of gum disease or a change in the bite.
Why can a gap develop?
Several things can contribute to spacing:
Teeth that are small relative to the size of the jaw
A missing or undersized tooth, often an upper lateral incisor
A large band of tissue (the frenum) that attaches between the upper front teeth
Habits that push the front teeth forward, such as tongue pressure when swallowing
Gum disease, which can loosen teeth and let them drift apart
The location and cause matter more than the size of the gap. New spacing, loose teeth or bleeding gums make a gum-health evaluation important.
Does every gap need to be closed?
No. If your teeth and gums are healthy and you like your smile, closing a stable gap isn't necessary. Some people keep theirs as part of their look. If you want a change, I look at the bite, the proportions of the teeth and how much healthy tooth structure is involved before recommending anything.
Can bonding close a gap between front teeth?
Composite bonding can be a good option for selected small spaces. Our bonding article shows actual cases and explains how we shape the contours. Making teeth wider isn't the right answer for every gap, though. If closing the space would make the front teeth look too wide, another approach may look better.
When might aligners or veneers make sense?
Clear aligners move teeth, while veneers change the visible surface. They solve different problems. Ask whether the goal is to change tooth position, tooth shape or both, and compare the maintenance and tooth preparation each involves. Sometimes the most natural-looking result combines them. A gap that is partly closed with aligners can then be finished with small amounts of bonding.
Talk about a tooth gap in Jacksonville
Contact CJ Henley, DMD at 3675 Hendricks Avenue near San Marco, or call 904-398-1549. If the gap has changed, bring photographs that show when it appeared. A dental examination comes first to confirm tooth and gum health before choosing among cosmetic treatment options.
Sources
American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Gum disease.
About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.