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Diastema is a gap between teeth, often the front two in the upper jaw. It can be caused by missing, too large or small teeth, or an oversized labial frenulum. Treatment options include veneers, crowns, braces, or a frenectomy. Some cultures view diastemas as attractive.
Diastema is a term used by dentists to describe a space or gap between two teeth, usually the two front teeth of the upper jaw. All mammals can develop a diastema and the feature also occurs naturally in many animals. The condition is often experienced by human children when the primary teeth fall out, although it is typically corrected when the permanent teeth finally appear. If the gap remains after the permanent teeth have erupted, the diastema is likely to remain until the child receives orthodontic treatment.
In addition to missing teeth, diastemas can also be caused by teeth that are too large or small in relation to the jaw or by dental alignment problems such as a bite. In some cases, an oversized labial frenulum is to blame. The frenulum is the tissue around the inside of the lip that stretches to meet the gum tissue around the upper two teeth. When this tissue is too large, it can push the teeth apart, causing a diastema.
Many herbivorous mammals have natural diastemas between the anterior teeth and sometimes between the cheek teeth. This is a common occurrence among rodents and lagomorphs, which are rodents with four incisors in their upper jaws. Some animals such as anteaters and pangolins have large diastemas between very few teeth.
In humans, diastemas can be treated, depending on the severity of the condition and the reason for its occurrence. Common diastema treatment options include placing porcelain veneers on the teeth, placing crowns and bridges, or having dental implants in adults. Orthodontic treatments and braces can also be used to slowly bring the teeth together and close the space between them.
If an oversized frenulum is the cause of the diastema, a surgical procedure known as a frenectomy may be performed. During a frenectomy, tissue is cut and then repositioned to allow for more flexibility. When the procedure is done on a child, the space between the teeth can close naturally over time. In adolescents and adults, braces or orthodontic treatment may be needed to close the diastema.
A diastema carries no significant health risk and is commonly viewed as a cosmetic issue rather than a medical condition. Many people choose to live with their diastema rather than undergo expensive and often painful surgery. In some places in the world, however, the space between the teeth is a sign of beauty. Residents of the western regions of Nigeria find diastemas attractive and some people undergo cosmetic dentistry to create them artificially.
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