Space Gaps After Baby Tooth Extraction & Braces: What to Expect

The amount of time you will have a gap before your adult teeth come in will depend on a few factors, including your age, oral health, and the specific details of your treatment plan. In general, you can expect to have a gap for several months to a year.

Here is a general breakdown of what to expect:

- After your baby teeth are extracted, your dentist will likely place a space maintainer. This is a device that holds the space open so that your adult teeth can erupt into the correct position.

- The space maintainer will typically be in place for 6 to 12 months. During this time, your adult teeth will begin to develop underneath the gums.

- Once your adult teeth are ready to erupt, your dentist will remove the space maintainer and place a brace. The brace will help to guide your adult teeth into their proper position.

- You will likely need to wear the brace for 12 to 24 months. During this time, the gap between your teeth will gradually close.

- Once the brace is removed, you may still have a small gap between your teeth. This is normal and will usually close on its own over time.

- In some cases, a bridge or implant may be used to close a gap that does not close on its own.

Your dentist will be able to give you a more specific estimate of how long you will have a gap based on your individual circumstances.