Why Aren’t the Gaps in My Teeth Closing?

Irvine, CA- It is very exciting to wear braces and know that your smile is slowly perfecting every day.  However, it could be frustrating when your teeth don’t move as quickly as you’d like—or in this scenario, the gaps in the teeth don’t seem to be closing.  Dr. Sophia Updike, an Irvine orthodontist, shares a few common reasons why the gaps in your teeth aren’t closing with braces.

The most common reasons why spaces or gaps do not close (or stay closed) is due to the size, shape, or position of the teeth itself. If the teeth are too small, it may not be able to fill the entire space of the gap.  If the tooth is awkwardly shaped, that could also affect its ability to fill a gap properly.  In this case, the tooth would need to be resized or reshaped. Another reason why a space cannot be closed properly is due to the angle of the tooth.  If the roots of the two adjacent teeth are touching underneath the bone, it may prevent the crown of the teeth being brought together.  Your orthodontist can evaluate the reason behind the spaces in your teeth by looking at an x-ray and determine the appropriate next steps.

Lastly, if the spaces just will not close or immediately reopen after they are closed and it isn’t due to any of the reasons above, the problem may be the bite.  It is possible for the lower front teeth to push against the backs of the upper teeth to create spaces.  One solution that may be recommended is either to move or reshape the teeth.

If none of these common reasons apply to you, that’s great news! This just means that some teeth move slower than others, and that a little bit of patience is all you need. If you have any other questions regarding your braces or spaces in your smile, please give our office a call and our friendly staff can assist with any concerns you may have at (949) 870-9713.  Be sure to check back on our website for more blog posts!