01 Gap Between Teeth
✓ Medically reviewed by Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar, Periodontist & Implantologist
A gap between the front teeth, medically called a diastema, is usually harmless on its own, but it's worth understanding why it's there before choosing how, or whether, to close it.
At Clarus Dental Specialities in Koregaon Park, a gap between your teeth is planned and delivered directly by Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar, Pune's only US Board Certified Periodontist and Implantologist.
Patients usually choose this for: a gap between the front teeth a gap that's gotten wider over time a childhood gap that never closed wanting a more even smile
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A gap that appeared suddenly alongside loose teeth? Call to confirm.
Quick answer: A gap between the front teeth, called a diastema, most often comes from a natural mismatch between tooth size and jaw width, an oversized piece of gum tissue between the front teeth, or a habit like thumb-sucking during childhood. It's usually a cosmetic matter rather than a health concern, and can be closed with bonding, veneers, or braces depending on the size of the gap and your goals. In Koregaon Park, Pune, gaps between teeth are assessed and treated directly by Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar, a US Board Certified Periodontist and Implantologist.
Before You Book
But if you want treatment backed by science and done by a US Board Certified Specialist, you're in the right chair.
02 Overview
A gap between the two front teeth is one of the most common cosmetic concerns patients bring up, and in most cases it's not a sign of anything wrong. It usually comes down to a natural relationship between how large the teeth are and how much space the jaw provides for them.
A less commonly known cause is an oversized band of gum tissue, called a frenum, attached between the front teeth, which can hold a gap open even after other space has closed. This particular cause needs a small procedure alongside cosmetic treatment, not cosmetic treatment alone.
The right way to close a gap depends on its size and cause, a small gap is often addressed with bonding in a single visit, while a larger gap, or one affecting the whole smile, may be better suited to veneers or orthodontic treatment.
03 Urgency
Most gaps are simply cosmetic, a few patterns are worth checking more closely.
04 Background
Closing a gap with bonding or veneers changes how the tooth looks, but it doesn't change why the gap was there in the first place. If an oversized frenum, the band of gum tissue between the front teeth, is the actual cause, it can keep exerting gentle pressure that reopens the space over time.
This is why an examination looking specifically at the gum tissue between the teeth, not just the teeth themselves, matters before choosing a treatment. In these cases, a minor procedure to adjust the frenum is done alongside, or sometimes before, the cosmetic fix.
A gap that's part of overall spacing across several teeth, rather than isolated to the front two, is usually better addressed with orthodontic treatment that repositions all the teeth evenly, rather than cosmetic bonding on just the visible gap.
05 Causes
The right option depends on the gap's size, cause, and how many teeth are involved.
Composite resin closes a small gap in a single visit, a conservative, affordable option.
Thin custom shells close a gap while also refining the tooth's overall shape and shade.
Gradually closes gaps by repositioning teeth, suited to spacing across several teeth.
06 Diagnosis
The size of the gap and whether a frenum is contributing are both assessed.
Whether you want the simplest fix or a broader cosmetic improvement shapes the recommendation.
If a frenum is the underlying cause, this is discussed as part of the plan.
The option best matched to your gap's size and cause is recommended.
Whichever path is chosen, the process and expected outcome are explained clearly upfront.
07 Cost Factors
Cost depends on individual case factors and is discussed only after examination, once the following are known:
A specific estimate is only meaningful after a clinical evaluation. This section is informational and is not a quotation.
If a previous gap closure has reopened, Dr. Neel is available to check whether an untreated frenum or other cause is behind the recurrence.
08 After Treatment
Brushing and flossing continue as usual around bonded or veneered teeth.
Avoiding biting directly on very hard foods protects bonding material specifically.
A retainer is worn as directed if the gap was closed through braces or aligners.
Regular visits confirm the result is holding as expected.
09 Self-Care Limits
Being upfront about the trade-offs matters:
10 Your Visit
Your visit includes an examination of the gap itself and the gum tissue around it, followed by a clear discussion of which option, bonding, veneers, or orthodontics, fits your specific cause and goals.
11 Why This Clinic
BDS (Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai) · Postgraduate periodontology training, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA · Diplomate, American Board of Periodontology (2008) · ITI Fellow, International Team for Implantology (2009)
Checking whether gum tissue is contributing to a gap is a natural extension of Dr. Neel's training as Pune's only US Board Certified Periodontist and Implantologist, one of only two in India.
An oversized frenum is identified before it causes a gap to reopen.
Bonding, veneers, and orthodontic treatment are all genuinely available.
The recommendation fits why the gap exists, not a default fix.
The only dental clinic in Pune listed by the US Consulate Mumbai.
Patients can also read independent reviews on Google and Practo.
12 Visit Us
This dentist and dental clinic in Koregaon Park also treats patients from nearby areas of Pune. See the full Koregaon Park clinic page →
13 International Patients
Clarus Dental Specialities is the only dental clinic in Pune listed by the US Consulate Mumbai, and Dr. Neel holds a dual US-India dental license, giving NRI and overseas patients confidence in the standard of cosmetic dental care available here.
A gap closed with bonding or veneers can often be completed within a single visit to Pune, making it a practical cosmetic improvement to plan around a trip.
14 FAQ
Usually not, it's most often a cosmetic matter rather than a sign of a dental health issue.
Most often a natural mismatch between tooth size and jaw width, or an oversized band of gum tissue between the teeth.
Dental bonding is typically the quickest option, often completed in a single visit.
Braces close gaps effectively, but a retainer is needed afterward to prevent the space from reopening.
This can happen if an underlying cause, like an oversized frenum, wasn't addressed alongside the cosmetic fix.
Yes, bonding or veneers can close a small to moderate gap without needing orthodontic treatment.
Yes, this is common and often closes naturally as permanent teeth continue coming in.
1. Clinical literature on the etiology and treatment of maxillary midline diastema, indexed on PubMed Central. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc
2. Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar's peer-reviewed publications, indexed on PubMed. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Call or WhatsApp the clinic directly to ask questions or set up a cosmetic dentistry consultation with Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar.
This page provides general dental information and does not constitute a diagnosis, treatment plan, or medical advice. Outcomes vary by individual case. No specific results, costs, or timelines are guaranteed. Please consult Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar or a qualified specialist for advice specific to your condition.
