Diastema (tooth gap)
Recommended treatment methods
A dental diastema or tooth gap is a space larger than 0.5 millimeters between teeth in both children and adults. A diastema is the space that forms between the upper front teeth and is popularly known as a gap, and a dental treble is the space between any two other teeth.
Although many people consider a crooked jaw to be "glamorous", diastema is considered a dento-maxillary anomaly because the teeth are not properly seated on the arch of the jaw or the space occurs due to the congenital absence of a tooth (anodontia).
Diastema - causes
According to specialists, a diastema larger than 2 millimeters in the mixed dentition is unlikely to close on its own, so it will persist even after the permanent teeth have erupted.
A study conducted in 2003 reported that the prevalence of diastema varies between 1.6% and 25.4% in adults, depending on age group and geographical region.
Dental diastema and tooth gaps can be caused by, among other things, a mismatch between jaw size and tooth size, an oversized frenum, and periodontal disease.
Here are the main causes of diastema:
Tooth size in relation to jaw bone
If a person's teeth are too small in relation to the size of the jawbone, or if some are smaller than others, dental tremors can occur. For example, if the upper lateral incisors are missing or relatively small, a space can develop between the central incisors - diastema.
Oversized labial frenum
The labial frenum is the membrane that normally extends from the inside of the upper lip to the gum above the central incisor teeth. If this tissue is oversized, it can lead to diastema.
Gum infection
Tooth migration can be a sign of gum infection. Gingivitis or periodontal disease can result in bone recession or loss of the bone supporting the teeth, and this can lead to a gap between the teeth (dental crowding).
Vicious habits
Diastema can also be caused by vicious habits such as infantile swallowing, thumb sucking or lip sucking.
In infants, swallowing is done with the tongue propelled between the spaced dental arches, whereas adult swallowing (which occurs after 1 to 1.5 years of age) is done with the arches in contact. Swallowing becomes a vicious habit that can lead to the development of dental tremors when infantile-type swallowing (tongue pressing on the front teeth) persists beyond the period when it should be switched to adult swallowing.
Losing temporary teeth
When the baby teeth fall out, children may develop temporary diastema, but these will be covered once the permanent teeth appear.
Dentists believe that this is a normal part of children's development, so treatment is usually not necessary.
Diastema - recommended treatment methods
Effective treatment for diastema requires an accurate diagnosis and appropriate intervention, depending on the cause of the gap between the teeth. To meet patients' needs, doctors may recommend a range of orthodontic treatments or prosthetic restorations following a check-up at a dental clinic.
Treatment with braces
Thus, if diastema is caused by a mismatch between the size of the teeth and the size of the jaw, the crookedness cannot be corrected without the treatment recommended by the orthodontist.
The most recommended method of treatment for diastema is braces.
Braces put pressure on the teeth, reducing the gap between them over time. Because any shifting of the teeth affects the dental arches as a whole, your orthodontist may recommend a full set of braces rather than just correcting spaced teeth.
Misalignment can also be corrected with removable or invisible braces, such as Invisalign®, which is considered one of the most modern teeth straightening treatments.
Treatment with dentures
If your lateral incisors are too small, your dentist may suggest dental veneers. To cover diastema when teeth are missing, a more complex dental procedure may be needed, which may include dental implants or dental crowns.
Treatment by frenectomy
If the diastema occurs as a result of an oversized frenum, it can be reduced by surgery called frenectomy. If the surgery is performed on a young child, the diastema may close on its own. If the procedure is done on an older child or adult, the orthodontist may recommend braces to correct the diastema as an adjunct treatment.
Periodontal treatment
If the diastema is caused by periodontal disease, the patient must follow the treatment recommended by the periodontist to restore the gums and teeth to health before the orthodontist can be called in to correct the crookedness.
People with diastema or tooth gaps should be aware that it is essential to consult a dentist for expert advice on the appropriate treatment method.
Come to DENT ESTET and find out which option is best for you from our orthodontic and orthopedic dento-facial specialists or from our cosmetic dentistry specialists.