Let’s skip the part where we pretend you might be on the fence. If you’re looking for how to close a gap between your teeth, whether it’s a gap in your front teeth or spacing throughout your smile, you’ve probably been thinking about it for a while. Maybe you’ve been covering your mouth when you laugh. Maybe your kid avoids smiling in school photos. Maybe you’ve caught yourself Googling “DIY gap bands” at midnight (please do not do that).
The gap bothers you. That’s reason enough to fix it.
And here’s what nobody on the other Bountiful orthodontist websites is telling you straight: closing a gap is often one of the most predictable things we do. In most cases, it’s not complicated. Treatment is usually simpler and faster than patients expect. And when it’s done, you’re going to feel a lot more confident about your smile.
Gap Closure: Braces for Front Tooth Spacing
This patient came to us wondering if braces could close the gap between his front teeth. They could. The gap is closed, the teeth are aligned, and that smile says it all.
This patient came to us with a gap between her front teeth. After treatment, that gap is closed, her bite is aligned, and she can’t stop smiling. That’s what this page is about. Not a sales pitch. Just what’s possible when you stop putting it off.
At Bailey-Welling Orthodontics, we’ve been helping families across Davis County close gaps with braces and Invisalign for over 50 years. Whether you’re in Bountiful, Farmington, Centerville, or Kaysville, we’ll give you a clear answer on your best options at a free consultation.
What You’ll Learn on This Page
We’re going to give you the full picture: why gaps happen, whether yours is likely to get worse, how we actually close them (braces, Invisalign, and why we skip bonding and veneers), what it costs, and what to expect for kids, teens, and adults. We’ll also tell you what not to do, because the internet has some truly terrible advice on this one.
Why Do Gaps Form Between Teeth?
Gaps between teeth (your dentist might call it a diastema) show up for a handful of reasons, and most of them aren’t anything you did wrong.
Genetics are the biggest one. If your parents or grandparents had a gap, there’s a solid chance you or your kids will too. The size of your jaw, the size of your teeth, and how those two things match up is largely inherited. When your teeth are a little too small for your jawbone, there’s extra space. That’s really all it is.
Other common causes include:
- An oversized frenum, that little piece of tissue connecting your upper lip to your gums. If it’s thicker or sits lower than usual, it can physically keep your front teeth from coming together.
- Childhood habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting (pushing your tongue against your front teeth when you swallow). Over time, that pressure pushes teeth apart.
- Missing or undersized teeth, especially the lateral incisors (the ones right next to your front teeth). When they’re smaller than average or never developed, the surrounding teeth spread out to fill the space.
- Gum disease, and this one’s important. If you’re an adult and a gap is appearing that wasn’t there before, or a gap you’ve always had is getting wider, that could be a sign of periodontal disease breaking down the bone that supports your teeth. That’s worth getting checked sooner rather than later.
For kids, gaps between baby teeth are completely normal. They’re actually a good thing because they make room for bigger adult teeth. But if the gap sticks around after the permanent teeth come in, it’s probably not going to close on its own.
Can a Gap in Teeth Get Worse Over Time?
We’re not here to scare you into treatment. Some gaps are purely cosmetic and don’t cause any health problems at all. If you have a small gap and it doesn’t bother you, that’s completely fine.
But there are real reasons gaps are worth paying attention to:
Gaps tend to get wider over time, not smaller. Your teeth are always shifting. Slowly, but constantly. Tongue pressure, normal chewing forces, and changes to your gums and bone as you age can all make an existing gap gradually increase. What’s a small space now could be more noticeable in five or ten years.
Food trapping becomes a daily thing. Bigger gaps catch food more easily, which means more plaque buildup, more risk for cavities, and more irritation to your gums. If you’re constantly picking food out of the same spot, your teeth are telling you something.
A gap in the front can crowd teeth elsewhere. When there’s too much space in one area, teeth in other parts of your mouth can shift to compensate. That can create bite issues that affect how you chew and how your jaw sits.
In some cases, a new or widening gap can also be a sign of shifting teeth, bite changes, or gum problems, which is one more reason an orthodontic evaluation can be helpful even if you’re not sure you want treatment yet.
And then there’s the thing that brought you here in the first place: it affects how you feel about your smile. That’s not a small thing. If you’re holding back every time someone pulls out a camera, or if your kid is learning to smile with their mouth closed, that matters.
How We Close Gaps with Braces and Invisalign
There’s no single right answer for every gap. How we close yours depends on what’s causing it, how big it is, and what else is going on with your bite. That’s exactly why we start with a free consultation so Dr. Welling or Dr. Cortez can look at the full picture, not just the space between two teeth.
Here’s what treatment typically looks like:
Braces for Gap Teeth
Braces are one of the most effective ways to close gaps in teeth, especially when spacing is part of a larger alignment or bite issue. We use P21 self-ligating brackets, which work with a slide mechanism instead of elastic ties. That means less pressure on your teeth, fewer adjustments, and a more comfortable experience overall.
If you want something less visible, our Iconix esthetic braces have champagne-colored brackets that blend with your teeth. Same effectiveness, lower profile.
For a single gap between the front teeth, braces can often close it in as little as six to nine months. If there are multiple gaps or other alignment issues to address, treatment might take 12 to 18 months, but you’ll start seeing the gap close well before that.
Invisalign for Gap Teeth
Invisalign can be a great option for mild to moderate gaps between teeth, especially for teens and adults who want a more discreet treatment. Clear aligners are removable, nearly invisible, and fit into most lifestyles without much disruption.
We’re a Diamond Invisalign Provider, which means we’ve treated a high volume of cases with clear aligners and know how to plan for predictable results. We use the iTero digital scanner to map your teeth in 3D (no goopy impressions) so you can actually see a preview of what your closed gap will look like before you even start treatment.
What About Bonding or Veneers?
You might be wondering about dental bonding or veneers. Both can cosmetically improve the appearance of a small gap, but they don’t actually move your teeth. Bonding wears down and stains over time. Veneers require shaving down healthy enamel. Permanently.
Orthodontic treatment closes the gap by moving your actual teeth into the right position. If the goal is to actually fix the spacing and not just mask it, braces or Invisalign is the stronger long-term option.
Gap Treatment Comparison
BracesP21 Self-Ligating
InvisalignClear Aligners
BondingCosmetic Resin
VeneersPorcelain Shells
Am I a Good Candidate to Close a Gap?
If you’re not sure whether your gap is “bad enough” to treat, or whether braces or Invisalign would even work for your situation, here’s a quick gut check.
You’re probably a good candidate if:
- You have a visible gap between your front teeth or elsewhere in your smile that bothers you
- Your gap seems to be getting wider over time
- You have healthy gums and no untreated gum disease (if you do, we’ll work with your dentist to address that first)
- You’re looking for a permanent fix, not a cosmetic patch
- Your child’s permanent teeth are in and the gap hasn’t closed on its own
You might need a different approach if:
- The gap is caused by a missing tooth (you may need an implant or bridge before or instead of orthodontic treatment)
- You have active gum disease that needs to be treated first
- The gap is caused by an oversized frenum that may need a minor procedure called a frenectomy before orthodontic treatment can hold
The only way to know for sure is to have an orthodontist take a look. That’s exactly what the free consultation is for.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Check the statements that apply to you
Gap Teeth Treatment for Kids, Teens, and Adults
Kids
If your child has a gap and their permanent teeth are already in, it’s a good time to have it evaluated. Our 7 & Up Kids Club monitors early development so we can catch spacing issues before they turn into bigger problems. Sometimes a gap in a child’s teeth is a sign that early orthodontic treatment could prevent more complex work down the road.
Teens
Teen patients with gaps are some of the most rewarding cases we treat. They come in covering their smile with their hand, and they leave taking selfies with their friends. Whether they go with braces or Invisalign Teen, the results speak for themselves.
Adults
If you’re an adult thinking “I should have done this years ago,” you’re not alone. We treat adults all the time, and here’s what most of them tell us: nobody at work cared. Nobody judged them. The people around them were actually supportive. And with options like Invisalign and Iconix esthetic braces, most people won’t even notice you’re in treatment.
You’re not too old. It’s not too late. Your teeth don’t know how old you are. They respond to orthodontic treatment at any age. Learn more about adult orthodontic treatment at our practice.
Please Don’t Try to Fix It Yourself
We have to say this because the internet is full of bad ideas: do not use rubber bands, gap bands, or DIY aligner kits to close a gap in your teeth.
Rubber bands from Amazon can slide up under your gums and cause permanent damage. We’re talking bone loss, loose teeth, and teeth that need to be pulled. It happens more often than you’d think.
Mail-order aligner companies skip the in-person exam, which means nobody is checking for gum disease, bone loss, or bite problems before moving your teeth. Moving teeth without addressing those things first can make everything worse.
Orthodontic treatment works because it’s controlled, gradual, and monitored by a doctor who can see what’s actually happening in your mouth. There’s no shortcut that’s worth the risk.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Gap in Teeth?
Cost is probably the second thing on your mind after “will it actually work?” We get it. And we’re not going to make you sit through a whole appointment before we talk numbers.
At your free consultation, you’ll get a complete breakdown: what treatment will cost, what your insurance covers, and what your monthly payment would look like. No surprises, no hidden fees.
We accept most insurance plans and offer flexible financing with interest-free monthly payments. Closing a gap doesn’t have to be a financial burden. We work with Bountiful and Davis County families every day to find a plan that makes sense.
What to Expect at Your Free Consultation
A lot of people put off scheduling because they don’t know what the appointment actually involves. Here’s the short version: you’ll walk in, meet the team, and leave with a clear answer.
Dr. Welling or Dr. Cortez will take X-rays and photos, examine your teeth and bite, and explain exactly what’s going on with your gap and what’s causing it. You’ll get a recommended treatment plan, a timeline, and a complete financial breakdown including what your insurance covers and what your monthly payment would look like. The whole visit usually takes about an hour, and there’s zero obligation to start treatment that day.
If you want to get a head start before coming in, you can also take our virtual exam from home.
See It for Yourself
We’ve closed hundreds of gaps over the past 50+ years at Bailey-Welling Orthodontics. Check out our before and after gallery to see real results from real patients. Kids, teens, and adults who came in self-conscious and left smiling ear to ear.
[Video Embed – Patient gap closure testimonial or treatment walkthrough]
What Real Patients Say About Closing Their Gap
Why Bountiful Families Choose Bailey-Welling Orthodontics
Choosing how to fix a gap in your teeth isn’t just about the treatment. It’s about finding an orthodontic team you trust to give you a straight answer and a plan that actually fits your life.
At Bailey-Welling Orthodontics, patients from Bountiful, Farmington, North Salt Lake, Centerville, Woods Cross, and Kaysville come to us because we’ve been doing this for over 50 years. We’re not a corporate chain. We’re an independently owned practice with two experienced orthodontists, two convenient locations, and over 530 combined five-star Google reviews from Davis County families.
We offer free consultations where you’ll get honest answers, not a sales pitch. We offer flexible financing so cost doesn’t have to be the thing that holds you back. And we treat kids, teens, and adults, so your whole family can get the care they need in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can braces fix a gap in front teeth?
Yes. Braces are one of the most reliable ways to close a gap between front teeth. Depending on the size of the gap and whether other alignment issues are involved, treatment can take anywhere from six months to about two years. At Bailey-Welling Orthodontics, we use self-ligating P21 brackets that move teeth efficiently with less discomfort.
Can Invisalign close a gap?
Invisalign is effective for mild to moderate gaps, especially when the bite is otherwise in good shape. As a Diamond Invisalign Provider, we’ve treated many gap cases with clear aligners. During your free consultation, we’ll let you know if Invisalign is a good fit for your specific situation.
Do gaps in teeth get bigger with age?
They can. Teeth naturally shift over time, and factors like gum disease, tongue thrusting, and bone loss can cause existing gaps to widen. If you’ve noticed a gap getting larger, it’s worth having it evaluated, both for cosmetic reasons and to rule out underlying gum issues.
Is it worth fixing a small gap?
That depends entirely on how you feel about it. If it bothers you, that’s reason enough. There’s no minimum gap size required to qualify for treatment. Even small gaps can trap food and contribute to plaque buildup, so there are practical benefits beyond appearance.
How much does it cost to fix a gap in your teeth?
Cost varies depending on the type of treatment and the complexity of your case. We offer free consultations at both our Bountiful and Farmington offices where you’ll get a full cost breakdown, including insurance coverage and monthly payment options. We also offer interest-free financing.
Will the gap come back after treatment?
It can if you don’t wear your retainer. After any orthodontic treatment, teeth have a natural tendency to drift back toward their original position. That’s why wearing your retainer as directed is the most important thing you can do to protect your results. We’ll set you up with a retention plan that keeps your gap closed for good.
My child has a gap between their baby teeth. Should I be worried?
Not usually. Gaps between baby teeth are normal and often close on their own when permanent teeth come in. But if the gap persists after their adult teeth have erupted, or if you notice it getting wider, it’s a good idea to have an orthodontist take a look. We recommend an evaluation by age 7 through our 7 & Up Kids Club.
Can a gap in front teeth close naturally?
Sometimes small gaps in children close as permanent teeth come in, but gaps in adult teeth usually do not close on their own. If a gap is still present after the permanent teeth have erupted, orthodontic treatment is typically the most effective way to close it.
What causes a gap between front teeth?
A gap between front teeth can happen because of genetics, jaw and tooth size differences, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, missing teeth, or an oversized frenum. The best way to find out what’s causing yours is with an orthodontic exam.
Is Invisalign or braces better for closing a gap?
Both can work well. Braces are often the better choice for larger gaps or spacing connected to bite issues, while Invisalign can be a great option for mild to moderate gaps in teens and adults. The right choice depends on your teeth, your bite, and your goals. We’ll walk you through both options at your free consultation.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Ready to close the gap? Visit Bailey-Welling Orthodontics at one of our two convenient Davis County locations: