What causes gaps between front teeth?
There are several causes, and the treatment differs according to the cause.
| Cause | Features | What to check first |
|---|---|---|
| Small teeth (microdontia, etc.) | Space left over from the start | Whether width can be added |
| Mismatch between tooth and jaw size | Even gaps between several teeth | Overall alignment |
| Gum disease (periodontitis) | Teeth were straight, then gradually spread apart | Condition of the gums and bone |
| Habits and bite | Tongue pushing, lower teeth pushing the upper teeth out | Bite |
| Low attachment of the upper lip frenum | Gap only between the two front teeth | Position of the frenum |
If the teeth were originally straight and have gradually spread apart, we look at the gums first in particular. If only the gap is filled while the teeth are moving because of gum disease, the gap opens again.
What happens if I leave a gap between my front teeth?
Food gets stuck often, the gums swell easily, and air can escape when you speak. If gum disease is the cause, the gap can gradually widen, so even if it is not very uncomfortable, it is good to have the cause checked. If you develop a habit of pushing your tongue into the gap, it can widen further.
What is checked before treating gapped front teeth?
- Whether the gap has always been there or appeared recently
- Whether the gums bleed or the teeth are loose
- How many mm wide the gap is
- Whether the teeth stick out forward
- How the upper and lower front teeth meet
- Whether you want only to close the gap, or also to change color and shape
If a new gap has opened in the last few years, we first suspect gum disease or a change in the bite, and start with a gum examination.
When is the gap filled with composite resin?
If the gap is narrow and the width and length on both sides are already even, front-tooth composite resin is the right fit. Tooth-colored material is bonded into the gap and shaped, with almost no shaving, and it is usually finished the same day.
However, if a wide gap is filled with composite resin alone, the front teeth look spread out sideways. Over time, the surface becomes rough and picks up stains from coffee, tea, and wine, and it is weak against the force of biting off hard things.
When are porcelain veneers or orthodontics needed?
| Case | Treatment | When it does not fit |
|---|---|---|
| Narrow gap, even shape | Composite resin | Teeth that are already wide |
| Gap together with color and contour | Porcelain veneers | Where teeth stick out forward |
| Alignment or bite is the cause | Orthodontics | When you only want to change color |
Porcelain veneers can change the gap, color, edge line, and width proportions together. If the teeth are very misaligned or the bite is the cause, we do not fill the gap but move the teeth with partial orthodontics. Orthodontics cannot change color, so any color and shape issues remaining after the teeth are moved are considered separately. A comparison of the three treatments is in Gapped front teeth: choosing between composite resin, porcelain veneers, and orthodontics.
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
I look in this order: why the gap formed, its width, whether the teeth stick out forward, and how the upper and lower teeth meet. A cheaper material does not decide the choice. I do not push either composite resin or porcelain veneers, and even for the same gap, I recommend differently depending on the cause.
If porcelain veneers are suitable, we consider Brinate, which is placed without shaving the teeth. The teeth need to sit inward with a gap remaining, and it is not placed on teeth that stick out forward. After bonding, the bite may change slightly, so we check the contact points again about a week later.
| Brinate | How it is made | Thickness | Time | Price (per tooth) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Milled by machine | 0.3mm | Same day possible | ₩330,000 |
| Build-up | Layered by hand | 0.1mm | About 1 week | ₩550,000 |
| Platinum | Layered by hand | 0.1mm | About 2 weeks | ₩990,000 |
As of September 2026, VAT included; there is no anesthesia and no temporary tooth. You can see all prices in Full fee list.
Frequently asked questions
Do gaps between front teeth get wider with age?
They can get wider if there is gum disease or a habit of pushing the teeth. If there is no such cause, they often do not change much.
Can I switch from a composite resin filling to porcelain veneers later?
Yes. The composite resin can be removed and porcelain veneers bonded, and we decide the method after looking at the condition of the tooth under the resin.
Can a gap closed with orthodontics open up again?
If left without a retainer, it can open again. After orthodontics, a retainer holds the teeth in their new positions.
