Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

Diastema is a condition involving a noticeable gap between the teeth that is wider than 0.5 millimeters (0.02 inch). Most commonly, these gaps occur in the front teeth, but diastema can involve the back teeth as well. A diastema is very common in childhood until the permanent teeth come in. When present in the permanent teeth, it can be corrected for aesthetic or functional reasons.

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Life is beautiful, enjoy it!

When the gaps occur in the lower teeth, it’s referred to as mandibular diastema. A space between the upper or lower centralincisors(two front teeth) is called midline diastema. The presence of a gap between the two maxillary (upper) central incisors is called a maxillary midline diastema (MMD).

According to a 2011 report published in theJournal of American Dental Association(JADA), between 1.6% to 25.4% of adults from various age groups and populations have MMD.The report also discovered a higher prevalence of MMD among African Americans (compared to Caucasians, Asians, or Hispanics).

There are several contributing factors that may play into the cause of diastema.

Teeth that are too small for themandible(lower jawbone) or maxilla bone (upper jaw bone), may result in gaps between the teeth. And a mandible (jaw) that is too big for the teeth may result in improper alignment of the teeth, because there is too much space, causing gaps.

Other factors include:

Thumb sucking and tongue thrusting can be corrected to prevent diastema.

Should Diastema Be Corrected?

Getting treatment can help a person’s self-esteem and lend itself to improving the overall quality of life for many people. In fact, a 2014 study found that among young people who had a correction of midline diastema, 50% reported that the procedure remarkably improved their quality of life.

Fixing the spaces between the teeth may also restore the normal functionality of the teeth. Any type of space can cause misalignment of the teeth. Biting and chewing problems may result. This can disrupt a person’s ability to eat and digest food properly, impacting overall health. Filling the gaps between the teeth can restore the proper structure of the mouth.

If you decide against having restorative or orthodontic treatment to repair diastema, keep in mind that any time there are gaps between the teeth, additional oral hygiene may be needed. This is because often food becomes trapped. Some experts recommend the use of awater flosserto make it easier to clean between the teeth.

For most people, the repair of diastema is a painless, uncomplicated process. There are several treatment methods that can close the gaps in the teeth. Each person’s case is individual, and the dental care practitioner will formulate a treatment plan, depending on several factors.

These include:

You and your dentist can work together to formulate a plan for the best treatment for your diastema.

Braces and Aligners

Bracescan be used to move the teeth and close the gaps. They are commonly used for large gaps.

Invisible braces such as theInvisalignbrand, are a treatment option for those who do not want braces to be visible. They can be used for closing mild to moderate gaps. Invisible braces are removable, so they are a good option for people who are in the public eye (such as professional speakers, actors, or models).

Veneers, Bonding, Bridging

Veneersand composite bonding involve a layer of material (such as porcelain or composite material) placed over the tooth. A composite material is a substance made from two or more materials with different chemical properties. When combined, these materials harden to form a hard, tooth-like substance. Veneers and composite bonding are best used for closing just one or two gaps.

Crownsor bridges crowns may be used as an option to fill in large spaces or when the tooth (located next to the gap) is cracked, chipped, or otherwise damaged.Dental bridgesmay be used when there are missing teeth. Crowns and bridges can help to restore the proper bite and chewing functionality.

Procedures

Periodontal procedures,such as scaling, surgical, or other treatment of the gums may be necessary.

If the frenum attachment is contributing to the diastema, it may have to be removed in a simple procedure known as a frenectomy. This will be timed according to other treatments, such as orthodontics or other restorative means

A Word From Verywell

Under most circumstances, diastema repair is a relatively quick and painless procedure. Some people with diastema are perfectly OK with their appearance and do not feel that they need to undergo the time or take on the expense of having treatment. If there are underlying dental problems, the decision should be made according to a dentist’s recommendation. When it’s a matter of aesthetics, make sure you discuss your needs and expectations when you decide what to do.

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chu CH, Zhang CF, et al.Treating a maxillary midline diastema in adult patients, A general dentist’s perspective.American Dental Association JADA.2011;142(11)1258-1264.Hussaina U, Ali Ayubb A, Farhanc M.Etiology and treatment of midline diastema: A review of literature.POJ. 2013:5(1) 27-33.Nagalakshmi S, Sathish R, Priya K, Dhayanithi D.Changes in quality of life during orthodontic correction of midline diastema.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2014;6(Suppl 1):S162-4. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.137435Dentaly.org.Diastema: Closing gaps in teeth with braces, veneers and other options.Oquendo A, Brea L, David S.Diastema: correction of excessive spaces in the esthetic zone.Dent Clin North Am. 2011;55(2):265-81, viii. doi:10.1016/j.cden.2011.02.002

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chu CH, Zhang CF, et al.Treating a maxillary midline diastema in adult patients, A general dentist’s perspective.American Dental Association JADA.2011;142(11)1258-1264.Hussaina U, Ali Ayubb A, Farhanc M.Etiology and treatment of midline diastema: A review of literature.POJ. 2013:5(1) 27-33.Nagalakshmi S, Sathish R, Priya K, Dhayanithi D.Changes in quality of life during orthodontic correction of midline diastema.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2014;6(Suppl 1):S162-4. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.137435Dentaly.org.Diastema: Closing gaps in teeth with braces, veneers and other options.Oquendo A, Brea L, David S.Diastema: correction of excessive spaces in the esthetic zone.Dent Clin North Am. 2011;55(2):265-81, viii. doi:10.1016/j.cden.2011.02.002

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Chu CH, Zhang CF, et al.Treating a maxillary midline diastema in adult patients, A general dentist’s perspective.American Dental Association JADA.2011;142(11)1258-1264.Hussaina U, Ali Ayubb A, Farhanc M.Etiology and treatment of midline diastema: A review of literature.POJ. 2013:5(1) 27-33.Nagalakshmi S, Sathish R, Priya K, Dhayanithi D.Changes in quality of life during orthodontic correction of midline diastema.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2014;6(Suppl 1):S162-4. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.137435Dentaly.org.Diastema: Closing gaps in teeth with braces, veneers and other options.Oquendo A, Brea L, David S.Diastema: correction of excessive spaces in the esthetic zone.Dent Clin North Am. 2011;55(2):265-81, viii. doi:10.1016/j.cden.2011.02.002

Chu CH, Zhang CF, et al.Treating a maxillary midline diastema in adult patients, A general dentist’s perspective.American Dental Association JADA.2011;142(11)1258-1264.

Hussaina U, Ali Ayubb A, Farhanc M.Etiology and treatment of midline diastema: A review of literature.POJ. 2013:5(1) 27-33.

Nagalakshmi S, Sathish R, Priya K, Dhayanithi D.Changes in quality of life during orthodontic correction of midline diastema.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2014;6(Suppl 1):S162-4. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.137435

Dentaly.org.Diastema: Closing gaps in teeth with braces, veneers and other options.

Oquendo A, Brea L, David S.Diastema: correction of excessive spaces in the esthetic zone.Dent Clin North Am. 2011;55(2):265-81, viii. doi:10.1016/j.cden.2011.02.002

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