Big Gap Between Permanant Front Teeth

Updated on December 21, 2011
S.K. asks from Castle Rock, CO
15 answers

My son who is turning 7 soon has lost 6 teeth 4 on top and 2 on the bottom. My question is right now he has this huge gap between his top two teeth but his two side upper teeth have yet to come in will they push the two teeth together?????

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R.D.

answers from Richmond on

1- Usually, they push together as other teeth come in. Don't worry about it until the pre teen years ;)

2- Gap teeth are the most ADORABLE THING ON THIS PLANET!! :)

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L.B.

answers from San Francisco on

My sister had the same thing and the other teeth came in and pushed everything where it supposed to be. She has a beautiful smile!

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F.H.

answers from Phoenix on

My son has the same thing. Our dentist said you just have to wait until the others come in to see if it will close the gap. Good luck.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

As he gets older the other adult teeth will move them around. But I asked the Pediatric Dentist at our last visit and he said our girl would have beautiful teeth, he did not think she would even need braces. He said the spaces were perfect for her age.

At age 8 your son could have an appointment with a dentist for pre-braces care if he still has gaps and issues. Our friends had teeth pulled and each child was in bionaters by this age and then they had braces shortly afterwards.

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M.R.

answers from Kansas City on

Above your top two teeth there is a muscle attachment called a frenulum. It attachs the lip to the gum tissue. Sometimes this muscle attachment is very prominent and creates a gap. Sometimes dentists recommend clipping or even better, using a laser to move the muscle attachment up a tad, allowing for the gap to close. Your best bet would be to visit an orthodontist for a consult just to get some more information. He or she can take a panoramic X-ray to show all the teeth which are still forming and get an idea of the room your child will have for the size of teeth. Sometimes some early intervention is helpful as far as expanders and such. Good luck. Teeth look pretty messed up for a few years while kids have mixed dentition (both baby and adult teeth) and sometimes you just have to ride it out, but it doesn't hurt to get more information in my opinion.

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J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

You won't know until the other teeth come in. If there was no gap before chances are there will be no gap when the other teeth come in.

Sorry it is a wait and see.

My kids never had that problem mind you, their adult teeth were so big they knocked out two baby teeth for one to come in.

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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

It's AMAZING how those teeth move around while they're all getting settled. I'd just ask his dentist about it next visit.

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M.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

if it doesnt then its a surgical or laser procedure to get rid of the Frenulum. If you dont like the Mad Magazine look. My friends daughter had this, and while it was cute in her younger years, as a teen she hates it and had it fixed pretty easy.

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D.H.

answers from Salt Lake City on

My son had quite a gap at that age. He's 10 now, and it's mostly gone. He just lost a baby molar, so I'm hoping they'll push together more as his new perms come in.

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B.P.

answers from Cleveland on

i doubt it, i have a gap and i need braces but never got em, my guy n his sister had a gap and needed braces, pretty much if you or him dont want the gap he will need braces

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D.M.

answers from Denver on

I would ask his dentist. My family has a history of the "space". Mine was closed with braces. My mom still has hers - and looks very cool - Lauren Bacall (spelling?)! My daughter has one too. and I am considering leaving it - I kind of miss mine! They key is whether or not the piece of skin/gum stops above the teeth or goes between. They sometimes need to cut it to close the teeth. Sometimes they will close by themselves. Don't worry now and ask the dentist. Space is good@

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

Well, it's hard to say. A dentist could tell you more after looking at x-rays.
Often, as the other teeth come in, they do push the teeth together. If there are too many teeth for the room in the child's mouth, there could be crowding.
My daughter was about 9 when we were told she would eventually need to have a couple of teeth pulled and braces because she simply didn't have enough room in her mouth for all of her teeth.
They were already crowding on the bottom.
My son, on the other hand, has perfectly straight teeth with no gaps or crowding whatsoever.

It all depends on the kid.
I wouldn't worry about it for now, but bring it up at his next dental check-up.

Best wishes.

M.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

Gaps are good when young - means they have enough room for their other teeth to come in.

L.A.

answers from Austin on

All good advice and experiences.
My sister had a gap.. kind of like Madonna.. Her teeth were actually too small and so they were as close as they were ever going to be.. and so she got Veneers for the front 2 teeth. They look great!

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M.P.

answers from Raleigh on

It might, but it might not. Look over your family tree- does anyone have a gap? It's usually hereditary. I had a huge one (as did my mother and grandfather) and had to wear braces. As soon as the braces were taken off, the gap came back within 24 hours! I had to wear a special piece on my retainer to keep the front teeth together. That fixed it. On the other hand, as the other teeth coming in, it could resolve. It's hard to say at this point...

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