Metal Mouth Message Board

I was wondering how long it would take for a 3mm gap between the front teeth to close by using braces? How far does a tooth move a month on average? (All my other teeth are fine, it's just this gap between my front two).

well, my orthodontist told me that your teeth usually move 1mm a month. hope this helps

So if each tooth moves inward 1mm a month, after the first month 2mm of the gap will be closed, and so it should only take a month and a half for the gap to be closed completely? That seems fast!

My ortho told me that the gap between incisors is closed faster than the gap between canine and premolar (this gap is often due to extraction to get space) because the canine is kind of "stubborn". Hope that your gap will be closed quickly.

keep in mind also that as the gap closes....your other teeth will also move around:)

Thanks for the replies

I can't wait to get my braces on, I'm 19 (20 in May) and have currently had fillings in where the gap is since the start of 2005, but I've always wanted to close the gap 'properly'. My dentist is making arrangements and I should be able to get braces on by May.

Just another question, if the gap closes in a few months why are braces usually needed for 18 to 24 months? I know my other teeth will move, as Higgy mentioned - is this the reason?

again thanks for the insight!

edit: KK, I'm in Australia too NSW to be precise.

Thanks KK. My bite has always been perfect, and as I said before the gap is the only 'wrong' thing about my teeth - every other tooth is lined up and straight. So I hope that my bite and my other teeth won't be affected too much by braces

My 5mm gap closed down to about 1.5mm in roughly 8 weeks. The ortho was quite impressed, especially considering he wasn't actually trying to close the gap just yet!

Well it's finally happening. Next Monday 23/4 I have an appointment with my dentist to get my fillings removed (so I'll have the gap again ) but the following Monday 30/3 I have my orthodontist appointement where they are going to do all the measurements and impressions and such.

My question is, how long does it usually take an orthodontist between taking the impressions of my teeth and actually getting the braces on?

Hi Meryaten,

Thanks for the reply. No, I'm not going with Invisalign - my dentist and I have spoken at length and braces are the more practical and cheaper option.

And yes, the fillings I mentioned are just bonding between my front teeth to close the gap. I've never had any decay on any of my teeth in my 20 years of life It's funny, really - my teeth are really perfect (if I say so myself) except for the front gap, which is why I am hoping that the braces shouldn't take too long if that's all they have to fix.

double post

Thanks for all the tips I'll definitely follow your advice.

It's going to be an exciting time for me for sure. I feel that once my teeth have been "fixed" then I will be much more confident than I am right now, knowing that although they look good they're not all real because of the fillings

Tomorrow's the day, argh! I'm going to feel so awkward with gap teeth again after having "normal" looking teeth for two years. But I know it's the first step to real, proper, straight teeth.

I didn't have any front gaps at the beginning, but during the treatment I had several, and I had them closed several times, too.

When they put on the powerchains, it took just 1 day every time to close these gaps, at least visibly. I'm sure the roots took longer to move.

Well the fillings are off and I feel really stupid looking again. Can't wait for this time next week when I see the orthodontist and things start moving. My dentist said the maximum time would be two years with braces.....ah well, at least I have something to look forward to by the time I'm 22