{"id":13368,"date":"2020-07-06T08:42:05","date_gmt":"2020-07-06T07:42:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/?page_id=13368"},"modified":"2026-02-10T06:58:04","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T05:58:04","slug":"spacers-for-braces","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/braces-for-adults\/spacers-for-braces\/","title":{"rendered":"Spacers for Braces: Do You Need Teeth Separators Before Braces?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Have you been told you or your child need <strong>spacers for braces<\/strong>? Most of us are familiar with what <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/teeth-straightening\/\" target=\"_blank\">dental braces a<\/a>re, but not so many people know how orthodontic separators help braces function properly.<\/p>    <p>Understanding intricacies like teeth spacers can help you get a clear picture of the procedure involved with getting braces and make the whole process seem a little less daunting.<\/p>    <p>In this article, we\u2019re going to fill you in on all there is to know about getting <strong>dental spacers before braces<\/strong>. We\u2019ll offer the answers to questions like:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>What do spacers do for your teeth?<\/li>    <li>Are spacers for braces painful?<\/li>    <li>Can you eat with them?<\/li>    <li>What happens if they fall out?<\/li> <\/ul>    <p>We hope this helps prepare you for the orthodontic work that you or your child are about to undergo.<\/p>     <div class=\"styled-blockquote\" id=\"styled-blockquote block_df82d581df82748c8bc2c07462539c14\">     <div class=\"styled-blockquote_inner\">                     <div class=\"styled-blockquote_heading position-top\">                 <b>Don&#8217;t want to deal with spacers for braces?<\/b>            <\/div>                 <div class=\"styled-blockquote_text\">             <p>If you&#8217;re concerned about having <b>spacers for braces<\/b>, you may also want to consider <b>clear aligners as an alternative<\/b>, as they won&#8217;t need spacers. Although they have a more limited range of tooth movement than braces, they can still treat a wide variety of orthodontic cases.<\/p> <p>Our top pick is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=107205&amp;awinaffid=849251&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.smilewhite.co.uk%3Fref%3Dmango_shake_limited\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Smile White<\/a>. These Aligners can treat 90% of cases. They&#8217;re <b>almost &#8216;invisible&#8217;<\/b>, much more <b>affordable<\/b>, and as a bonus, you&#8217;ll get <b>free whitening and retainers worth \u00a3790<\/b>.<\/p> <p>Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/braces-for-adults\/smile-white\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Smile White Review<\/a> for more information or <b>book a FREE e-consultation<\/b>.<\/p>         <\/div> \t\t\t\t\t\t            <\/div>     <\/div>       <p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Use code <strong><span class=\"smile_white-discount-code\">DENTALY5OFF<\/span> to get <span class=\"smile_white-discount-amount\">5%<\/span><\/strong> off your treatment.<\/p>   <div class=\"mega-button\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=107205&amp;awinaffid=849251&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.smilewhite.co.uk%3Fref%3Dmango_shake_limited\" class=\"orange\" rel=\"nofollow\">Book a FREE e-consultation with SmileWhite!<\/a><\/div>    <h2 id=\"what-are-spacers-for-teeth-what-do-they-do\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are spacers for teeth? What do they do?<\/h2>   <div class=\"wp-block-image\"> <figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/05\/rubber-spacers.jpg\" alt=\"rubber dental spacers for braces\" class=\"wp-image-13066\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">These are rubber spacers for braces<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>   <p>Spacers for braces are technically known as <strong>orthodontic separators or spacers<\/strong>, but they can also be called dental spacers or teeth separators. <\/p>    <p>In any case, they are simply rubber bands or orthodontic metal bands measuring about a centimetre in diameter. They are typically placed between the molars (back teeth), or between specific front or middle teeth, to create space before braces are fastened on. A patient may have one to eight spacers installed before braces are fitted.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why do you need spacers before braces?<\/h3>    <p>More often than not, a&nbsp;<strong>tooth spacer<\/strong>&nbsp;is used if the patient\u2019s teeth are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/malocclusion-crooked-teeth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">overcrowded<\/a>. To secure it in place, the orthodontist stretches it and presses it firmly between the teeth with a word of caution that it must not be picked at or it may fall out.<\/p>    <p>Typically, dental spacers are secured between teeth a week or two before braces are put in. This time is enough for the molars to move sufficiently far apart. The small gaps that spacers create are required for brace appliances like molar bands or expanders to be fitted afterwards.<\/p>    <p>The short video below demonstrates the procedure for placing orthodontic separators (elastic in this case) and shows the gaps created between the teeth in just a few days.<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"><div style=\"display: contents;\" >  <div data-mode=\"normal\" data-oembed=\"1\" data-provider=\"youtube\" id=\"arve-youtube-pyymbzznh94\" class=\"arve\"> \t<div class=\"arve-inner\"> \t\t<div class=\"arve-embed arve-embed--has-aspect-ratio\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"arve-ar\" style=\"padding-top:56.250000%\"><\/div> \t\t\t<iframe allow=\"accelerometer &#039;none&#039;;autoplay &#039;none&#039;;camera &#039;none&#039;;ch-ua &#039;none&#039;;clipboard-read &#039;none&#039;;clipboard-write;display-capture &#039;none&#039;;encrypted-media &#039;none&#039;;gamepad &#039;none&#039;;geolocation &#039;none&#039;;gyroscope &#039;none&#039;;hid &#039;none&#039;;identity-credentials-get &#039;none&#039;;idle-detection &#039;none&#039;;keyboard-map &#039;none&#039;;local-fonts &#039;none&#039;;magnetometer &#039;none&#039;;microphone &#039;none&#039;;midi &#039;none&#039;;payment &#039;none&#039;;picture-in-picture;publickey-credentials-create &#039;none&#039;;publickey-credentials-get &#039;none&#039;;screen-wake-lock &#039;none&#039;;serial &#039;none&#039;;sync-xhr;usb &#039;none&#039;;window-management &#039;none&#039;;xr-spatial-tracking &#039;none&#039;;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"arve-iframe fitvidsignore\" credentialless data-arve=\"arve-youtube-pyymbzznh94\" data-lenis-prevent=\"\" data-src-no-ap=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/PYymBzzNh94?feature=oembed&amp;iv_load_policy=3&amp;modestbranding=1&amp;rel=0&amp;autohide=1&amp;playsinline=0&amp;autoplay=0\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"0\" loading=\"lazy\" name=\"\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-presentation allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/PYymBzzNh94?feature=oembed&#038;iv_load_policy=3&#038;modestbranding=1&#038;rel=0&#038;autohide=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autoplay=0\" title=\"\" width=\"0\"><\/iframe> \t\t\t \t\t<\/div> \t\t \t<\/div> \t \t \t <\/div> <\/div><\/figure>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are orthodontic spacers painful?<\/h3>    <p>Most people experience <strong>some pain or discomfort from spacers for teeth<\/strong>. After all, they&#8217;re putting pressure on the teeth and forcing them to move quite quickly. It mainly depends on how tightly spaced your teeth are to begin with:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>For people with relatively small or no space between their teeth, brace spacers can cause irritation in the nerves which may result in constant, but bearable pain.<\/li>    <li>For some people, separators don&#8217;t hurt teeth when initially applied but start to ache after a while.<\/li>    <li>Spacers can hurt more when eating, especially with hard or chewy foods.<\/li>    <li>In a few rare cases, spacers can dig into the gums causing swelling and occasional bleeding.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p>Usually there\u2019s nothing to worry about if any of the above happen. Orthodontists suggest that it is perfectly normal. Discomfort can be minimised by drinking cold drinks, eating yoghurt or ice cream, and taking over-the-counter painkillers as directed.<\/p>    <p>After having spacers installed, you may feel like there&#8217;s something stuck between your teeth, (because there is!) and you may be tempted to remove it. But trying to do so isn\u2019t advised. Attempting to dislodge or&nbsp;adjust spacers&nbsp;might cause them to fall out. Although this may relieve discomfort in the short term, it will make the next step in the process tougher and more painful. Or, you&#8217;ll just need to have the spacers fitted all over again.<\/p>    <p>Keep in mind, this is no excuse to stop brushing your teeth! Brushing doesn\u2019t lead to the displacement of dental spacers. In fact, regular brushing is encouraged while they are in place.<\/p>    <p>If you&#8217;re worried about getting spacers for braces, you may also want to consider other orthodontic options such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/braces-for-adults\/best-teeth-aligners\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/braces-for-adults\/best-teeth-aligners\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">clear aligners<\/a>. Although the range of teeth movement is more limited than with braces, they can still treat a wide range of orthodontic cases.<\/p>        <div class=\"featured-box featured_box-default\">          <div class=\"featured-box__title\">             Our #1 recommended teeth aligners        <\/div>          <div class=\"featured-box__content\">             <\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-image\"> <figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"149\" height=\"160\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/08\/teeth-aligners-before-after-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48009\" \/><\/figure><\/div>   <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Treats up to 90% of Cases<\/li>    <li>Up to <strong>40% cheaper than Invisalign<\/strong><\/li>    <li>Buy now, pay later in interest-free instalments<\/li>    <li><strong>Rated 4.9\/5<\/strong> on Trustpilot<\/li>    <li>As seen on <em>5, BBC, 4, DailyExpress, TheMail<\/em><\/li>    <li>Get <strong><span class=\"smile_white-discount-amount\">5%<\/span> OFF<\/strong> with our <strong>discount code <span class=\"smile_white-discount-code\">DENTALY5OFF<\/span><\/strong> and <strong>FREE Whitening and Retainers<\/strong> worth \u00a3790<\/li> <\/ul>    <p><\/p>    <p>                <div class=\"featured-box__buttons\">                     <div class=\"mega-button\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=107205&amp;awinaffid=849251&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.smilewhite.co.uk%3Fref%3Dmango_shake_limited\" class=\"orange\" rel=\"nofollow\">Click here to book a FREE e-consultation<\/a><\/div>                <\/div>                     <\/div>      <\/div>          <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long do spacers for braces hurt?<\/h3>    <p>The level of discomfort caused by teeth spacers differs for each patient. However, any initial soreness or pain from dental spacers being placed usually fades away after about four to six hours. You may experience some aching over the next couple of days while your teeth shift around. If this happens, take solace in the fact that it is normal, and the pain will dissipate.<\/p>    <p>Below you can see what <strong>getting teeth spacers before braces<\/strong> was like for this patient:<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"><div style=\"display: contents;\" >  <div data-mode=\"normal\" data-oembed=\"1\" data-provider=\"youtube\" id=\"arve-youtube-gfqdelnniak\" class=\"arve\"> \t<div class=\"arve-inner\"> \t\t<div class=\"arve-embed arve-embed--has-aspect-ratio\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"arve-ar\" style=\"padding-top:56.250000%\"><\/div> \t\t\t<iframe allow=\"accelerometer &#039;none&#039;;autoplay &#039;none&#039;;camera &#039;none&#039;;ch-ua &#039;none&#039;;clipboard-read &#039;none&#039;;clipboard-write;display-capture &#039;none&#039;;encrypted-media &#039;none&#039;;gamepad &#039;none&#039;;geolocation &#039;none&#039;;gyroscope &#039;none&#039;;hid &#039;none&#039;;identity-credentials-get &#039;none&#039;;idle-detection &#039;none&#039;;keyboard-map &#039;none&#039;;local-fonts &#039;none&#039;;magnetometer &#039;none&#039;;microphone &#039;none&#039;;midi &#039;none&#039;;payment &#039;none&#039;;picture-in-picture;publickey-credentials-create &#039;none&#039;;publickey-credentials-get &#039;none&#039;;screen-wake-lock &#039;none&#039;;serial &#039;none&#039;;sync-xhr;usb &#039;none&#039;;window-management &#039;none&#039;;xr-spatial-tracking &#039;none&#039;;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"arve-iframe fitvidsignore\" credentialless data-arve=\"arve-youtube-gfqdelnniak\" data-lenis-prevent=\"\" data-src-no-ap=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/gfQdeLnnIAk?feature=oembed&amp;iv_load_policy=3&amp;modestbranding=1&amp;rel=0&amp;autohide=1&amp;playsinline=0&amp;autoplay=0\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"0\" loading=\"lazy\" name=\"\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-presentation allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/gfQdeLnnIAk?feature=oembed&#038;iv_load_policy=3&#038;modestbranding=1&#038;rel=0&#038;autohide=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autoplay=0\" title=\"\" width=\"0\"><\/iframe> \t\t\t \t\t<\/div> \t\t \t<\/div> \t \t \t <\/div> <\/div><\/figure>    <h2 id=\"can-you-eat-with-orthodontic-separators-in-your-teeth\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can you eat with orthodontic separators in your teeth?<\/h2>    <p>One of the most significant negatives of having spacers and braces is that you can eat only specific kinds of food once they\u2019ve been put in place. Let&#8217;s take a look at foods you should stay away from.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which foods should be avoided?<\/h3>   <div class=\"wp-block-image\"> <figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/05\/biting-apple-e1582976200433.jpg\" alt=\"what can you eat with spacers for braces\" class=\"wp-image-3410\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Apples are not recommended<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>   <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Chewy, sticky foods like sweets and chewing gum can stick on and around the braces and spacers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>Hard foods that need more strength while chewing, like nuts, corn on the cob, and raw hard fruits can lead to breaking of the wires in your braces. If you\u2019re still on spacers, chewing hard foods can cause quite a bit of pain as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>If you eat something that\u2019s exceptionally high in sugar and starch, it can cause plaque to accumulate around spacers and braces, increasing chances for decay.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p>This last reason is also why your orthodontist will advise you to continue a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/oral-hygiene\/brushing-teeth-properly\/\" target=\"_blank\">proper brushing routine<\/a> once you get spacers or braces put in. It will not only help prevent staining and decay, but also make sure food particles don\u2019t get stuck in your braces and the gaps between your teeth.<\/p>    <p>Your dentist may tell you to avoid flossing between the teeth with spacers, to avoid dislodging them. But once your braces are fitted it&#8217;s important to clean between your teeth every day. <\/p>    <p>If your braces or spacers are making it painful to eat, it&#8217;s best to stick to soft foods like pasta, yoghurts, mashed potatoes, smoothies and soup.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I do if my teeth spacers fall out?<\/h3>    <p>If you\u2019ve been following your orthodontist\u2019s advice carefully, there are minimal chances of&nbsp;<strong>teeth separators falling out<\/strong>&nbsp;on their own. However, it might happen in rare circumstances. If it does, it may be because there is already enough room between your back teeth.<\/p>    <p>Can you put a spacer back in your own mouth? As the video above showed, dentists use special tools to place orthodontic spacers so it&#8217;s best not to try and do this yourself. If your teeth spacers fall out on their own, or due to your attempt to alleviate pain, call your orthodontist immediately. They might want to call you in to check whether the spacers should be replaced.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"spacers-for-baby-teeth\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Spacers for baby teeth<\/h2>    <p>Although they have the same name, the spacers that your child might get when they begin to lose their baby teeth are quite different to orthodontic spacers. <\/p>    <p>Also called space maintainers, spacers for baby teeth are used when a child&#8217;s baby tooth is lost prematurely, from being knocked out or from decay. These devices are used to stop the adjacent teeth from moving into the empty space and causing permanent teeth to come in crooked. <\/p>    <p>This is just one of the many reasons why it&#8217;s so important to start bringing your child to the dentist at a young age, as early as their first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth eruption. You can read more about <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/babies-children\/baby-teeth\/\" target=\"_blank\">caring for your baby&#8217;s teeth<\/a> in our separate guide.<\/p>         <div class=\"dentist-tip\">          <div class=\"dentist-tip__title\">             Ask a dentist: What are the benefits of spacers?        <\/div>          <div class=\"dentist-tip__content\">             <\/p>    <p>Losing baby teeth too early can put future smiles at jeopardy.&nbsp;This is why space maintainers serve such an important role. Space maintainers are dental devices for children that lose baby teeth before their adult teeth have erupted. Spacers help safeguard your child\u2019s dental health as they grow. They also ensure that their future smile results as it should. <\/p>    <p>Not all space maintainers are the same. There are both removable and fixed devices. Removable devices are similar to an orthodontic retainer and can be removed for eating and cleaning. A fixed space maintainer is affixed to the teeth or gums around the vacated tooth space. They are often used for small children not quite old enough to care for a removable device. Choosing the right fit for your child\u2019s needs is handled specifically by your dentist. <\/p>    <p><strong>Dr. Catalina Botero, Li&#8217;l Sunshine Smiles Dentistry<\/strong><\/p>    <p>        <\/div>      <\/div>          <h2 id=\"conclusion\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>    <p>To recap, <strong>spacers for braces create small gaps between teeth<\/strong>, usually molars, so that a molar band or other appliance can be placed as part of orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic separators are only in place for a week or two, but they can be quite painful, especially to begin with. It&#8217;s a good idea to stock up on painkillers and soft foods to get you through the first few days.<\/p>    <p>Getting braces can be inconvenient, but knowing that your teeth will look better afterwards makes it all worthwhile. Dental spacers form an essential initial step for many in completing the application of braces, and the more you know about them, the more you can anticipate what\u2019s in store. We hope this article has helped you feel more prepared for your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/teeth-straightening\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">teeth straightening journey<\/a>.<\/p>    <p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><\/p>   <div class=\"mega-button\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=92509&amp;awinaffid=849251&amp;campaign=Day+Aligner+Pricing&amp;clickref=Day+Aligner+Pricing&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.awin1.com%2Fcread.php%3Fawinmid%3D92509%26awinaffid%3D849251%26campaign%3DDay%2BAligner%2BPricing\" class=\"orange\" rel=\"nofollow\">Get the best price for aligners!<\/a><\/div>    <h2 id=\"faqs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQs<\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What&#8217;s the difference between a molar band and spacers?<\/h3>   <div class=\"wp-block-image\"> <figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/05\/man-smiling-clear-braces.jpg\" alt=\"spacers for braces\" class=\"wp-image-13067\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Spacers are part of the teeth-straightening process<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>   <p>Molar bands and spacers may seem similar, but their function is quite different. A spacer for teeth is placed around the molars before you get your braces, to create more space for the braces to do their job. Then, when it&#8217;s time to get braces, your spacers come out and a molar band will be placed around each of your back molars, in order to anchor your braces.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What happens after spacers are removed?<\/h3>    <p>You will only have your dental spacers for a week or two before it&#8217;s time to get them taken off by your orthodontist. They&#8217;ll typically be replaced with a molar band for braces. Molar bands act to anchor your braces in place.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does everyone get spacers before braces?<\/h3>    <p>No, not everybody needs to get teeth separators before braces. Everyone&#8217;s teeth are different. If your teeth, especially your molars, are very close together, you may need spacers. That&#8217;s because when you get your braces, molar bands may need to be placed around your back molars in order to anchor the braces in place. Rubber or metal brace spacers will help make room for those molar brands. Your orthodontist will be able to let you know if you need a spacer before braces.<\/p>    <p>People who get treatment with <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/invisalign-invisible-braces\/\" target=\"_blank\">Invisalign or other invisible braces<\/a> won&#8217;t need brace spacers either.<\/p> <div class=\"socials_share\"><ul class=\"share-buttons\">     <li class=\"share_item share_item-facebook\">         <a class=\"share_link share-facebook\"            href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer?u=https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/braces-for-adults\/spacers-for-braces\/&amp;t=Spacers+for+Braces%3A+Do+You+Need+Teeth+Separators+Before+Braces%3F\"            target=\"_blank\"            rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"            title=\"Share to Facebook\"            onclick=\"window.open(this.href,'facebook-share','width=580,height=296');return false;\">             <svg width=\"30\" height=\"31\" viewbox=\"0 0 30 31\" fill=\"none\" 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18.3115 19.8197C18.8279 19.7459 19.8975 19.1681 20.1311 18.541C20.3525 17.914 20.3525 17.373 20.291 17.2623C20.2049 17.1394 20.0205 17.0656 19.75 16.9426Z\"                       fill=\"white\"\/>                 <defs>                     <lineargradient id=\"paint0_linear\" x1=\"15.0001\" y1=\"-0.0101066\" x2=\"15.0001\" y2=\"29.9855\"                                     gradientunits=\"userSpaceOnUse\">                         <stop stop-color=\"#61FD7D\"\/>                         <stop offset=\"1\" stop-color=\"#2BB826\"\/>                     <\/lineargradient>                 <\/defs>             <\/svg>         <\/a>     <\/li>     <li class=\"share_item share_item-common\">         <a href=\"#\" class=\"share_link share-copy-link\" id=\"share-copy-link\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">             <svg width=\"30\" height=\"30\" viewbox=\"0 0 30 30\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">                 <rect width=\"30\" height=\"30\" rx=\"2\" fill=\"#00D4DD\"\/>                 <path d=\"M15.8313 13.6488C14.5411 12.3741 12.4442 12.3813 11.145 13.665L7.55841 17.2089C6.25927 18.4926 6.25204 20.5645 7.54226 21.8392C8.83248 23.114 10.9294 23.1067 12.2285 21.8231L15.0358 19.0158\"                       stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-miterlimit=\"10\"\/>                 <path d=\"M13.993 15.3983C15.2832 16.6731 17.3802 16.6658 18.6793 15.3821L22.2659 11.8382C23.5651 10.5545 23.5723 8.48268 22.2821 7.20792C20.9918 5.93316 18.8949 5.94039 17.5958 7.22408L14.7688 10.0511\"                       stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-miterlimit=\"10\"\/>             <\/svg>         <\/a>     <\/li> <\/ul>  <script>\n    document.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function(event) {\n        var tempInput = jQuery('<input type=\"text\">');\n        var curUrl = jQuery(location).attr('href');\n        var shareButton = jQuery('.share-copy-link');\n        shareButton.on('click', function (e) {\n            e.preventDefault();\n            if (navigator.share) {\n                navigator.share({\n                    title: 'Dentaly.org | Your Oral Healthcare Portal',\n                    url: curUrl\n                }).then(() => {\n                    console.log('Thanks for sharing!');\n                }).catch(console.error);\n            } else {\n                jQuery('body').append(tempInput);\n                tempInput.val(curUrl).select();\n                document.execCommand('copy');\n                tempInput.remove();\n                jQuery(this).attr('data-state', 'Link is copied').addClass('copied');\n                setTimeout(function () {\n                    jQuery('.share-copy-link').removeClass('copied');\n                }, 8000);\n            }\n        });\n    });\n<\/script>  <\/div><!--copyscapeskip--><div class=\"medical-references\"><div class=\"medical-references__heading\"><span>Sources<\/span><\/div><div class=\"medical-references__list\"><p><strong>MAG Online Library:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.magonlinelibrary.com\/doi\/abs\/10.12968\/ortu.2018.11.2.61\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Separators: a review of uses and limitations<\/a>. Consulted 6th July 2020.<\/p> <\/div><\/div><!--\/copyscapeskip-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Have you been told you or your child need spacers for braces? Most of us are familiar with what dental braces are, but not so many people know how orthodontic separators help braces function properly. Understanding intricacies like teeth spacers can help you get a clear picture of the procedure involved with getting braces and &#8230; <a title=\"Spacers for Braces: Do You Need Teeth Separators Before Braces?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/braces-for-adults\/spacers-for-braces\/\">Read more <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Spacers for Braces: Do You Need Teeth Separators Before Braces?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":13379,"parent":15,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6111],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3387],"class_list":{"0":"post-13368","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"category-braces-category"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What are Teeth Spacers for Braces and Are They Painful?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Orthodontic separators help prepare your teeth for braces. 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Read about how dental spacers for braces work and what to expect if you need them.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/braces-for-adults\/spacers-for-braces\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Dentaly.org\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dentaly.org\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-10T05:58:04+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/05\/woman-smiling-braces-feat-image.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"790\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"415\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@dentaly_site\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"Natalie Asmussen\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/braces-for-adults\/spacers-for-braces\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/05\/woman-smiling-braces-feat-image.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/05\/woman-smiling-braces-feat-image.jpg\",\"width\":790,\"height\":415},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/braces-for-adults\/spacers-for-braces\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Braces Guide\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/braces-for-adults\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Spacers for Braces\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/\",\"name\":\"Dentaly.org\",\"description\":\"Your Oral Healthcare Portal\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Dentaly.org\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/11\/Screenshot-2015-11-11-16.29.232.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/11\/Screenshot-2015-11-11-16.29.232.png\",\"width\":478,\"height\":178,\"caption\":\"Dentaly.org\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dentaly.org\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/dentaly_site\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What are Teeth Spacers for Braces and Are They Painful?","description":"Orthodontic separators help prepare your teeth for braces. 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