Genes may cause the jaw to become too large compared with the size of normal teeth, or the teeth to be too small for a normal sized jaw.

The gap may also be due to bad habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.

The treatment for gaps and spaces between teeth depends on how large the gap is, whether it is between two adjacent teeth or caused by a missing tooth, and the overall condition of the mouth and existing teeth.

The following are some of the treatments for closing gaps and spaces between teeth:

• Cosmetic bonding or composite resin veneers. A generally quick and non invasive procedure to close the gap but usually has some limitations on how long they can last.
• Porcelain veneers. Have the longest lifespan, they never stain or discolour and are very durable. They are usually used to improve the aesthetics of a tooth or to protect a damaged tooths surface.
• Orthodontic braces or Invisalign. Conventional fixed braces or invisible braces like Invisalign may be used to close the gap.
• Partial denture. A false tooth is used to fill in the gap.
• Dental bridge. A fixed bridge is anchored on the existing teeth before placing a crown to close the gap.
• Dental implants. An artificial tooth root is placed in the jaw to support a replacement tooth or bridge.