Why Are My Braces Not Closing The Spaces Between My Teeth?

When will the gaps between my teeth close up? Why do I feel that the gaps are closing too slowly? Patients are often worried that gaps between the teeth won’t close up after tooth extractions. So what’s the solution to this problem?

Gaps Between Teeth Will Close Up

In most cases a orthodontist will design a treatment plan depending on how overcrowded or protruding the teeth are. Even when the treatment plan includes tooth extractions the orthodontist will have designed a treatment which will take into account how the teeth will shift into the correct position and close spaces between the teeth.

What should I do if the gaps have not closed up?

It’s recommended that you should ask your orthodontist whether the treatment has reached the stage where the gaps between the teeth should have closed up. Generally speaking after tooth extractions it is after the teeth have shifted into the correct position that the gaps will then close up. It takes time for the gaps to slowly close up for some patients it can take a few months and for other patients it can take over a year.

Even just for closing the gaps between teeth it will also depend on the size of the gap. In most cases teeth can only shift a few millimeters at a time, closing gaps between teeth too quickly can lead to alveolar bone resorption which is not good for the teeth.

However, if the treatment has reached the stage where the gaps should have closed up but there are still gaps what should you do? In such cases you would have to see your orthodontist to see what options are available, methods such as the use of orthodontic bone anchors.

If your orthodontist is unable to treat the gaps between the teeth then you should consider contacting another orthodontist and you would have to go through a second round of orthodontic treatment. Therefore, before going through with any orthodontic treatment at dental clinics it’s crucial to make sure that the orthodontist is qualified and professional.