People with a large midline diastema...question

[junglejulie]

Did anyone regret closing it? I am about to go in for my cleaning and some fillings so this is sort of the prequel to my journey. I told a few friends of my plans to close the gap and of course they all replied "we like the gap, don't close it." Thy guy I am seeing told me I won't look right without the gap. All of this is making me a little apprehensive. I really hate this gap and have been waiting my whole life to close it...I don't want to regret it because my teeth might look weird without the gap...

anyone regret closing theirs?

[zdenka]

I was told by a few as well. I cannot wait to close it. My ortho told me that the gap would keep on getting bigger (due to some extractions when I was young) and eventually be up to 3 mm larger than it was in the beginning of the treatment. So no thanks, get used to it everyone

[junglejulie]

I was told by a few as well. I cannot wait to close it. My ortho told me that the gap would keep on getting bigger (due to some extractions when I was young) and eventually be up to 3 mm larger than it was in the beginning of the treatment. So no thanks, get used to it everyone

I was also told that my gap would be getting bigger, a few years ago when I asked the dentist about getting braces. And today it is in fact bigger.

I just don't see why anyone would tell someone else to keep a gap in their teeth.

I guess at this point I would rather have my teeth look "weird" without the gap, than with it.

[Tobilei]

Mine's still open. I think it's about 2-3mm wide. I've hated it for years. It's definitely gotten wider as I've gotten older and my ortho told me it was possible it would continue to open up or get worse at some point quickly so I chose to get rid of it. A couple of people told me the same thing, that I wouldn't look like me without it and it really wasn't that bad. I'll be glad when it's gone though!

[nikkibabie19]

I love mine. If I had perfectly straight teeth with the diastema I wud not have gotten Braces.
I don't really care what others think cuz I have to be happy with my appearance.
But I really loved it and others too...
Its so weird lookin at my smile and not seeing it. I was sorta sad when it closed up so fast.

But I've gotten used to the "no space" feeling...it took time but I'm there lol...

He ortho didn't Say the space wud get bigger but he did say that if I don't get my Frenelum removed it cud reappear lolz.

[AM21]

I hated my gap and I'm glad it's gone! I honestly feel better about myself since I don't have my gap anymore.

If you hate your gap and have wanted it gone for so long, you should do what makes you happy.

[MrsCharisma]

I've been told I shouldn't close mine. But it's HUGE! 5-6 mm. Pfft. Plus, my dad had a 2mm or so gap at age 20 ish. Now, at 57, it's like 6-7 mm. No thank you!

Sometimes, I think people, even those that love you, aren't comfortable with seeing you change. Even if the change is for the better.

I cannot wait to have a perfect smile!

[OldBikerBag]

You are able to do something that improves your self-image. You are doing something for yourself. This makes some people uncomfortable for a number of reasons:

They wish they could do something themselves.

They feel insecure.

They don't like change in anything or anyone.

They think you might decide to look for a prettier, more perfect crowd to match your new appearance.

They think you will be so pretty when it's done that they will look plain in comparison.

They are just plain old jealous and are trying to be tactful about it.

And, in very rare people, they genuinely like the gap between your teeth.


I have a friend who has a significant gap between his upper front teeth. I think he's just as handsome as can be. The gap is somehow disarming and softens his otherwise rough exterior. If, however, he decided to get braces to close it, I think he would be just as striking.

One thing about people who have a gap between their upper front teeth...when they smile, I can't help but smile back. I don't know exactly why. I have never been able to dislike someone with that gap regardless of how nasty I have seen them be to other people.


If closing it will make you a happier person, then move forward with it. If you are a happier person, those around you will benefit from that. If closing it is all it takes for someone to no longer want to be around you, you didn't need that person in your life anyway.

[MrsCharisma]

That was an awesome response OldBikerBag. I smile typing your user name!

[Angel269]

Hated mine. So glad I have closed it, as it wasn't just a gap my teeth were slanted with it too.

My mum said it added character. I had a dental phobia so never addressed it as a teen. Will be pleased when this whole thing is done and dusted within the next couple of months.

[junglejulie]

I've been told I shouldn't close mine. But it's HUGE! 5-6 mm. Pfft. Plus, my dad had a 2mm or so gap at age 20 ish. Now, at 57, it's like 6-7 mm. No thank you!

Sometimes, I think people, even those that love you, aren't comfortable with seeing you change. Even if the change is for the better.

I cannot wait to have a perfect smile!

Your post made me cry. My father also developed a small gap in his twenties. By the time he was in his forties, it had almost tripled in size. And he was the main reason I was not allowed to get braces when I was young. I love him, but I really wish he would have reconsidered his stance on the issue.

I think you're right about loved ones being uncomfortable with change.

[junglejulie]

You are able to do something that improves your self-image. You are doing something for yourself. This makes some people uncomfortable for a number of reasons:

They wish they could do something themselves.

They feel insecure.

They don't like change in anything or anyone.

They think you might decide to look for a prettier, more perfect crowd to match your new appearance.

They think you will be so pretty when it's done that they will look plain in comparison.

They are just plain old jealous and are trying to be tactful about it.

And, in very rare people, they genuinely like the gap between your teeth.


I have a friend who has a significant gap between his upper front teeth. I think he's just as handsome as can be. The gap is somehow disarming and softens his otherwise rough exterior. If, however, he decided to get braces to close it, I think he would be just as striking.

One thing about people who have a gap between their upper front teeth...when they smile, I can't help but smile back. I don't know exactly why. I have never been able to dislike someone with that gap regardless of how nasty I have seen them be to other people.


If closing it will make you a happier person, then move forward with it. If you are a happier person, those around you will benefit from that. If closing it is all it takes for someone to no longer want to be around you, you didn't need that person in your life anyway.

Wow. This was an awesome response. I would agree that it might be a number of those things you mentioned about.

[junglejulie]

I love mine. If I had perfectly straight teeth with the diastema I wud not have gotten Braces.
I don't really care what others think cuz I have to be happy with my appearance.
But I really loved it and others too...
Its so weird lookin at my smile and not seeing it. I was sorta sad when it closed up so fast.

But I've gotten used to the "no space" feeling...it took time but I'm there lol...

He ortho didn't Say the space wud get bigger but he did say that if I don't get my Frenelum removed it cud reappear lolz.

Hey Nikki, I wish I love mine too, then I would not have to shell out the money I am about to spend. lol I pray I get the opportunity to get used to that "no space" feeling because I have not a clue how it feels to have your front teeth touching.

Are you going to have your frenectomy so that the space doesn't reappear?

[MrsCharisma]

Well now we're getting it done JungleJulie!!!

[junglejulie]

Well now we're getting it done JungleJulie!!!

My consultation is tomorrow, so we will see. I am praying the everything runs smoothly...