Can Invisalign Close Gaps? 

For many people, achieving their perfect smile may involve addressing gaps or spaces between their teeth. Fortunately, Invisalign is a popular and effective orthodontic treatment option for closing gaps and achieving a straighter smile without the need for traditional braces.

Gaps in teeth – what are they?

When you have extra space between two or more of your teeth, this is known as spacing issues or gap teeth. Gaps in teeth are medically known as diastema and there are several types that can occur and often have different causes. 

Gaps between teeth can be minimal or large and can happen for a variety of reasons such as:

• Natural causes, such as baby teeth not moving
• Overly large jaws
• Missing teeth
• Size of teeth

There are also several types of gaps between teeth, including:

Diastema

Diastema refers to the gap or space between two teeth. The most common diastema occurs between the upper front teeth, and it is often a cosmetic concern rather than posing any health threats

Midline gap

A midline gap (midline diastema) is a space between the upper two front teeth, typically caused by the discrepancy between tooth size and jaw size.

Missing teeth

Gaps can also result from missing teeth, which can create space between adjacent teeth as they shift to fill the gap.

Malocclusion

In some cases, gaps  in teeth occur due to misalignment or malocclusion, where the upper and lower teeth do not properly meet when the mouth is closed.

Why are gaps in teeth a bad thing?

While gaps in teeth are predominantly a cosmetic concern that many individuals want to fix, there is the potential for gaps to lead to various dental and oral health issues, with the main issue being the crowding of other teeth. If the teeth that are causing the gap do not move, nearby teeth may come in and cause crowding and pain.

There are other issues that teeth gaps can cause, including: 

Speech difficulties

Gap teeth have the potential to affect speech, causing lisps or difficulty pronouncing certain words.

Oral hygiene issues

Some teeth gaps can trap food particles, increasing the risk of plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease. Some teeth gaps are difficult to clean, which can increase the risk of plaque build up over time.

Misalignment

Gap teeth can lead to misalignment issues, affecting the bite and could potentially cause jaw pain.

Sensitivity

Exposed roots in gap teeth may lead to increased tooth sensitivity.

Can Invisaign close gaps in teeth?

In short, yes, Invisalign is a great, efficient method to close gaps in teeth. Invisalign uses a series of clear, custom-made aligners to gradually move teeth into their desired position, closing any unwanted gaps in the process. While Invisalign is often associated with addressing mild to moderate misalignment issues such as crowding, crossbites and overbites, it is very effective in closing gaps between teeth.

Here’s how Invisalign works to close gaps:

Customised treatment plan –  We work with you to create a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and smile goals. Using advanced technology, we map out the precise movements required to close the unwanted gaps in your teeth, whilst also addressing any other orthodontic concerns you may have.

Your custom clear aligners – Invisalign aligners are made from a transparent, BPA-free plastic material, which are virtually invisible when worn, so you don’t have to feel conscious of your treatment at any stage.

Gradual alignment – You will receive a series of aligners, each designed to be worn for around 22 hours a day, 7 days a week, only taking them out to eat and drink. Once your teeth have moved by 0.25mm you’ll swap to the next set of aligners. This process will repeat until your teeth are in the desired position and your unwanted teeth gaps are no more.

Monitoring and adjustments – Throughout your treatment, we will monitor your progress and make necessary adjustments to your treatment plan. This ensures that your teeth are gradually closing the gaps in a controlled and effective way.

The perks of using Invisalign to fix gaps in teeth 

Invisalign offers several advantages for people looking to close gaps between their teeth, here are just a few:

Cosmetic appeal – Invisalign’s clear aligners are nearly invisible – no one will notice that you’re wearing them. 

Comfort – Invisalign aligners are made of SmartTrack™ material, making them smooth and comfortable to wear. There are no wires or brackets that can cause irritation to your cheeks and gums, unlike traditional braces.

Removable – Invisalign aligners can be easily removed to eat, drink and clean, unlike metal braces which are fixed to your teeth.

Accurate & predictable – At least 14 million people have used Invisalign before you. Invisalign utilises advanced 3D imaging technology to plan and predict the outcome of your treatment so you know what to expect at the start of the treatment.

Average shorter treatment time – In many cases, Invisalign treatment can be faster than traditional braces, providing quicker results for gap closure.

Book a free consultation today

Invisalign has proven to be an effective and discreet solution for closing gaps between teeth. Whether you have a diastema, midline gap, or malocclusion-related gaps, Invisalign offers a comfortable and cosmetically appealing treatment option. Schedule an appointment at Smile Stories to discuss the correction of your teeth gaps with Invisalign clear aligners.