Diastema – a cleft between the anterior central incisors, which can reach from 1 to 10 mm. This is one of the most common dental anomalies and occurs in about 20% of the world's population. Today, the editors of Estet-portal will tell you about the causes, symptoms and principles of diastema treatment.
Causes of diastema
Based on clinical observations, most often the diastema is formed under the influence of heredity. So, in families with a genetic predisposition, about half of the relatives have this dental defect.
Also, among the causes of diastema, there are:
- anomalies in the formation of the frenulum (short frenulum of the tongue, low attachment of the frenulum of the upper lip, etc.);
- supernumerary impacted teeth;
- microdentia;
- partial or multiple edentulousness;
- late appearance of molars;
- tumors of the jaw (odontoma);
- cleft lip.
In addition, the formation of a diastema can be affected by bad habits associated with chewing on hard objects with the anterior central incisors. It is also worth noting that this can lead not only to diastema, but also to the rotation of the incisors along the axis.
Classification of diastema types
There are several types of diastema classification. So, initially distinguish between false and true diastemas. False diastema appears during the period of change of temporary occlusion to permanent. With the formation of a permanent bite, it passes, that is, it is delayed, on its own. As for the true diastema, it is formed on a permanent bite. And it is impossible to get rid of it without the help of a specialist.
The diastema is further classified by the location of the interdental space relative to the midsagittal plane. Based on this principle, it can be symmetrical and asymmetric. Symmetrical diastema is characterized by the same mixing of both incisors relative to each other. With an asymmetric diastema, one incisor is located normally, and the second – bevels about the center line.
There is also another type of diastema classification:
1. Only the crowns of the central incisors are tilted, and their roots are in the correct position.
2. Body displacement of the central incisors.
3. The mixing of the crowns of the teeth occurs in one direction, and the roots – in another.
It is worth noting that with all types of diastema, the rotation of the crowns along the axis may or may not be present.
Diastema treatment
Depending on the type of diastema, a different course of treatment will be prescribed. There are a number of therapeutic, orthodontic, surgical and combined treatments for diastema.
Now let's take a closer look at them:
1. The therapeutic method of diastema treatment includes cosmetic elimination of the defect. It is performed under the condition that the cleft – this is the main problem and does not lead to incidental problems.
2. The orthopedic method implies almost the same thing as the therapeutic one. Only special ceramic veneers and fixed prostheses are used that close the cleft.
3. The surgical method of treatment is used if the diastema is accompanied by changes in the frenulum or caused by them. In such cases, surgical intervention is performed to excise the frenulum. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove incorrectly growing or everted teeth. Accordingly, an orthopedic procedure is subsequently carried out.
4. The orthodontic method of diastema treatment involves the use of braces and plates that will move the teeth and thereby narrow the gap between them.
Finally, I would like to note that in order not to acquire a diastema, you just need to get rid of bad oral habits, as well as undergo preventive examinations with a dentist. The editors of Estet-portal wish you a great and radiant smile.
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