11 Treatments Options to Help Fix Gapped Teeth (Diastema)

A gap between your teeth, known clinically as diastema, can be a charming aspect of your unique smile and personal style. However, if you'd like to change the appearance of your teeth gaps, modern dentistry offers a variety of effective solutions.

From minimally invasive procedures to orthodontic treatments, there's a wide range of options that can help you achieve a straighter smile.

1. Dental Implants

Dental implants are surgically implanted into the jaw to provide a permanent solution when you’ve lost a tooth to injury or disease. They can restore your ability to chew and also can provide a cosmetic boost.¹

Pros

• Functions like natural teeth¹

• Strong and long-lasting¹

• Natural-looking option¹

Cons

• Requires surgery¹

• Can be expensive¹

• Needs adequate recovery time¹

Average cost

Dental implants cost $2,695 on average but can range from $1,450 to $3,875.²

2. Bridges

A dental bridge is a fixed dental appliance with artificial teeth that literally bridges gaps by anchoring onto neighboring teeth. It can be either fixed or removable and is often used to replace one or more missing teeth.³

Pros

• Restores aesthetics and function⁴

• Generally less invasive than implants⁴

• Can be cost-effective compared to implants⁴

Cons

• May require alteration of healthy adjacent teeth⁴

• Limited lifespan compared to implants⁴

• Can negate the cost-benefit, given replacement needs⁴

Average cost

A traditional single-tooth bridge costs $5,197 on average but can range from $4,100 to $9,650.⁵

3. Dentures

Dentures are removable appliances that replace multiple missing teeth to help restore function and appearance. Full or partial sets are available depending on your needs.⁶

Pros

• Non-invasive option⁶

• Relatively affordable

• Can be easily adjusted or replaced⁶

Cons

• May require a period of adjustment to become comfortable⁶

• Requires regular cleaning and maintenance⁶

• Can affect speech and eating⁶

Average cost

Traditional or conventional dentures cost $1,968 on average but can range from $1,520 to $3,648.⁵

4. Snap-On Smile®

Such a fantastic name for something that does just what it says: Snap-On Smile is a removable appliance that snaps over existing teeth to improve aesthetics without invasive procedures. It’s often used to mask stained, crooked or missing teeth.⁷

Pros

• Painless, with no drilling needed⁷

• Affordable⁷

• Provides an instant smile makeover⁷

Cons

• Not a permanent solution⁷

• Only comes in an option for a full set so might not be suitable for wanting to cover only one tooth⁷

• Requires proper care and maintenance⁷

Average cost

Snap-On Smile costs $2,480 on average but can range from $1,901 to $4,729.⁵

5. Flippers (Acrylic Partial Dentures)

Officially known as acrylic partial dentures, this temporary partial denture is used to replace one or more missing teeth, like those resulting from injury or extraction. It’s often used while awaiting a more permanent option, such as a bridge or dental implants.⁸

Pros

• Lightweight and removable⁸

• Provides temporary aesthetics and function⁸

• Affordable compared to other solutions⁸

Cons

• Not as durable as other options⁸

• May not be suitable for more extensive issues⁸

• May need to be replaced if used extensively⁸

Average cost

Flippers cost $605 on average but can range from $471 to $1,164.⁵

6. Dental Crowns

Think of a crown on your tooth like a hat on your head — it's a cap that is placed over a tooth to restore its shape, size and appearance, typically when the tooth has been cracked or broken.⁹

Pros

• Strengthens and protects damaged or weak teeth⁹

• Restores original color and shape⁹

• Strong to allow chewing and normal function⁹

Cons

• Requires filing down the tooth⁹

• Can be expensive, depending on the material

• May require replacement over time⁹

Average cost

A porcelain crown costs $1,399 on average but can range from $915 to $3,254.⁵

7. Dental Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are custom-fitted restorations used to repair damaged or decayed teeth as a less invasive alternative to full crowns. Inlays go inside the tooth while onlays also extend onto a tooth’s chewing surface.¹⁰

Pros

• Preserves more of the natural tooth¹⁰

• Bonding process may improve tooth strength¹⁰

• Ideal for moderate damage or decay¹⁰

Cons

• Requires precise fabrication¹⁰

• Can be more costly than fillings

• Not suitable for extensive damage¹⁰

Average cost

Porcelain inlays/onlays cost $976 on average but can range from $755 to $1,774.⁵

8. Veneers

Veneers are custom-made shells of tooth-colored material, such as porcelain, that are bonded to cover the front of the teeth and improve their appearance.¹¹

Pros

• Looks like your natural teeth¹¹

• Can correct various cosmetic issues¹¹

• Durable and stain-resistant¹¹

Cons

• Can be costly

• Not reversible

Average cost

A single veneer costs $1,765 on average but can range from $500 to $2,895. A full set of veneers costs $15,486 on average but can range from $5,700 to $24,500.²

9. Dental Bonding

Tooth bonding helps repair a chipped, cracked or broken tooth with a bond that restores your tooth to its original appearance. It entails the application of a tooth-colored resin molded to repair the damage, then hardened with UV light.¹²

Pros

• Natural looking¹²

• Quick, minimally invasive procedure¹²

• Effective for minor repairs¹²

Cons

• Can stain over time¹²

Average cost

Dental bonding costs $431 on average but can range from $288 to $915.⁵

10. Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are removable, transparent aligners that apply gentle pressure to straighten teeth over time without traditional braces. Typically, the aligner is worn for one week at a time, about 22 hours a day, and then a new aligner replaces it.¹³

Pros

• Nearly invisible when worn¹³

• Removable for eating and cleaning¹³

• Customizable treatment plans¹³

Cons

• Requires discipline to wear as directed¹³

• Can be costly

• Mostly suitable for mild to moderate problems¹³

Average cost

Clear aligners cost $5,108 on average but can range from $1,800 to $8,100.²

11. Braces

You may think that braces are just for kids, but they are very much an option for adults. Traditional metal or ceramic braces are used to straighten teeth by applying constant pressure over time. They can be used for more than just cosmetic reasons, as they correct misaligned bites or tooth crowding, helping prevent tooth decay and other issues.¹²

Pros

• Highly effective for complex cases¹⁴

• Offers precise control of tooth movement¹⁴

• Suitable for all ages¹⁴

Cons

• Highly visible¹⁴

• Requires frequent adjustments¹⁴

• Can cause discomfort or irritation¹⁴

Average cost

Metal braces cost $6,343 on average but can range from $2,500 to $10,000.² Ceramic braces cost $5,834 on average but can range from $4,480 to $11,312.⁵

Turn Your Frown Upside Down

Fixing a bothersome tooth gap can be a transformative journey, both for your smile and your confidence. Whether you need a subtle correction or a more comprehensive solution, one of these treatments may be just right for your unique situation.

Dental Financing With the CareCredit Credit Card

Regular dental checkups are important to help prevent, identify and treat dental problems before they become more advanced. The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for dental exams, cosmetic dental procedures and other costs that insurance doesn’t cover — to help you keep your pearly whites bright and healthy.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist near you that accepts CareCredit. Make the most of your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App. You can find a provider on the go, manage your CareCredit account and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to dental care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for pet care, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Cathie Ericson is an Oregon-based freelance writer who covers personal finance, real estate and education, among other topics. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications and websites, including U.S. News & World Report, MSN, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, MarketWatch, Fast Company, Realtor.com and more.