Widely spaced teeth

Alternative Names: Teeth - widely spaced

Widely spaced teeth can be a temporary condition related to normal growth and the development of adult teeth. Wide spacing can also occur as a result of several diseases or continued growth of the jawbone.

Causes of Widely spaced teeth

• Acromegaly
• Ellis-van Creveld syndrome
• Injury
• Morquio syndrome
• Normal growth (temporary widening)
• Possible gum disease
• Sanfilippo syndrome
• Tooth shifting due to missing teeth

Home Care

Ask your dentist if braces can help if the appearance is bothersome.

When to Contact a Health Professional

Call your health care provider if:

• Your child's teeth or jaws appear to be developing abnormally
• Other symptoms accompany the appearance of widely spaced teeth

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Dental x-rays
• Facial or skull x-rays

Oral anatomy

Review Date: 2/22/2010
Reviewed By: Jack D Rosenberg, DDS, Advanced Dental Care, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, M.D., MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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