Diastema, which comes from the Greek word for “gap,” is the space between two teeth. It often happens between any teeth, but you usually see it most between the two upper front teeth.

While diastema can naturally occur as kids grow, it might stick around into adulthood and could be linked to different dental problems. Some people don’t mind the gap and even see it as a unique part of their smile. However, for those who feel self-conscious or face issues like trouble speaking or chewing, having a diastema can be annoying. Plus, if food gets trapped in the gap and leads to problems like tooth decay or gum disease, they might need treatment.

This blog will break down all you need to know about diastema.

What is a Diastema?

A diastema simply means a gap between your teeth that measures more than 0.5 millimeters. You can find these gaps between any teeth. 

The specific names for diastemas depend on where they are located. For example, gaps in your lower jaw are called mandibular diastemas, while gaps between your two front teeth are known as midline or median diastemas. 

Diastemas in Children

Midline diastemas are pretty common in young children. Many children around the age of 6 have these gaps in their baby teeth, but many close by the time they reach 10 or 11, when their permanent teeth come in.

If you notice gaps between your child’s teeth, don’t worry. These gaps happen because baby teeth are smaller than adult teeth, and the spacing helps make room for the permanent teeth to come in later.

Because of this, most orthodontists don’t suggest braces for young kids to fix diastemas, as these gaps often close up on their own as they grow. However, since other orthodontic problems like crossbites or crowded teeth might also arise, seeing a children’s orthodontist by the time your child turns 7 is a good idea.

Diastemas in Adults

Once permanent teeth come in, diastemas can be either widespread or localized. Some adults might need treatment for health or cosmetic reasons to close these gaps. Many choose to fix the gaps for looks and because food can get stuck between their teeth, which can be pretty uncomfortable while eating.

Causes of Diastemas

Diastemas can happen for a few reasons:

Genetics

You might naturally have wider spaces between your teeth, particularly in your upper front teeth. If you see this trait in other family members, it might be genetic.

Undersized and Missing Teeth

A diastema can form if some of your teeth are smaller than the others or missing. That often happens with the upper lateral incisors, the teeth next to your two upper front teeth. When your lateral incisors are small or missing, a gap can appear between your front teeth.

Overdeveloped Lip Frenum

An overdeveloped lip frenum, sometimes called a gummy smile, could also cause a diastema. We all have two labial frenums that connect our gums to our upper and lower lips. If your upper labial frenum grows too much, it can take up too much space in your gum area, pushing the two upper incisors apart and creating a gap between your front teeth.

Gum Disease or Periodontitis

Advanced gum disease can cause your gums to recede and your teeth to loosen, leading to gaps. This condition mostly results in bone loss that impacts your entire mouth. It’s important to treat periodontal disease effectively to relieve your symptoms and prevent more gaps from forming.

Tongue Thrusting

An incorrect swallowing reflex, reverse swallow, or tongue thrust can cause or worsen gaps between your teeth. That happens when your tongue pushes against your front teeth instead of the roof of your mouth while swallowing. Over time, this constant pressure can make your front teeth stick out, widening or creating those gaps. Plus, tongue thrust could lead to orthodontic problems like an overjet or an open bite, where your upper front teeth protrude.

Thumb Sucking

Thumb sucking is a pretty typical habit for kids, but if they keep it up too long, it can cause dental problems. When a kid sucks their thumb for a while, the constant pressure could push their front teeth forward, making them stick out. That might create or worsen gaps between your teeth. Plus, thumb sucking can mess with how the lower and upper teeth line up, causing misalignment and possibly causing gaps.

Loss of Your Primary Teeth

Kids often get temporary gaps when their baby teeth fall out. Usually, these gaps close up when their adult teeth grow. Dentists see this as a normal part of growing up, so they usually don’t recommend any treatment. A study from 2012 found that about two-thirds of kids show these gaps when only their central incisors have come in.

What are the Symptoms of a Diastema?

The main sign of a diastema is a noticeable gap between your teeth. If gum disease makes your teeth loose, you might feel discomfort and pain, especially when eating. Other signs of gum disease that can cause a diastema include: 

  • Receding gums 
  • Bright red gums 
  • Bleeding gums 
  • Swollen and tender gums 
  • Loose teeth 
  • Bad breath 

Is It Necessary To Treat Diastema?

It is worth considering whether you need treatment for a diastema depending on the following factors:

Aesthetic Concerns

If the spacing makes you self-conscious and does not contribute to your confidence, many find a treatment for aesthetic purposes the best option.

Functional Issues

Sometimes, diastemas can make it hard to speak, chew, or bite. If the gap interferes with your speech, chewing, or other functions.

Orthodontic Considerations

If the gap between two teeth indicates a larger orthodontic issue, such as crowding, treatment can improve your overall alignment of the teeth or jaws.

Dental Health

Diastemas can trap food particles, increasing the risk of gum disease and decay. If you find it difficult to maintain adequate hygiene in that area or see signs of decay or inflamed gums, you may need treatment to avoid potential oral issues.

Treating Diastemas

You might not need treatment for a gap, especially if it comes from a size mismatch between your teeth and jaw or from losing baby teeth. When treatment isn’t essential but someone wants to close your gap for cosmetic reasons, your dentist can suggest the best methods.

Here are some treatment options:

Braces

Braces help close gaps and adjust the spacing between teeth. They work best for larger gaps, while smaller gaps can often be fixed with alternatives like Invisalign.

Orthodontists provide a range of braces for teens and kids, including:

  • Damon braces — These self-ligating braces have some perks over conventional metal braces. It doesn’t need elastic ties, requires fewer dentist visits, and makes adjustments quicker and more comfortably
  • Self-ligating metal braces — The main difference between clear and metal braces is mostly about the aesthetics. While the office provides traditional metal braces, they recommend more efficient self-ligating ones. These braces are easier to clean, need fewer appointments, and the procedure takes a short while to complete
  • Clear ceramic braces — Clear ceramic braces are a favorite among adults and teens who prefer a less visible option. The main difference between metal and clear ceramic braces is how they look. Clear ceramic braces use brackets made of tooth-colored or clear ceramic, and you can also have white-coated and clear wires or elastics
  • Lingual braces — Lingual braces aren’t as popular as self-ligating braces, but are another alternative. These braces attach to the back of your teeth, making them less visible. However, they can create issues for some patients, including the potential to develop a lisp and often a larger cost

One of the benefits of using braces to close a gap is that correcting the gap may simultaneously fix other orthodontic issues, like a bad bite or crowded teeth.

Crowns

Crowns can quickly and effectively close gaps between teeth, particularly in diastema cases. If orthodontic treatment isn’t enough, crowns might be the way to go. For example, if someone has smaller teeth leading to gaps in the front, they might need crowns on several teeth to get the look they want.

Crowns can also help with specific gaps, like those pesky “black triangles” between teeth. Typically, these crowns are made from porcelain or composite materials, designed to match the size and color of the person’s teeth. Just keep in mind, crowns work well when your teeth are aligned, so there’s no need for braces.

Bonding or Veneers 

Instead of braces, your dentist can use dental bonding or veneers. These options work well if someone has a diastema due to smaller teeth. Bonding means using resin on the teeth’s surface and a light to harden it. The dentist secures thin, custom-made porcelain pieces for veneers on the teeth. 

Dental Bridge or Implants

If a diastema occurs due to missing teeth, a person may require advanced dental work, such as a bridge or implants. Dental implants involve placing metal screws in your jaw and attaching replacement teeth. A bridge is a false tooth held in place by a device attached to the teeth on both sides of your space.

Frenectomy

If the labial frenum (the tissue connecting your upper lip to your gums) is enlarged, it can shift between your teeth. That might create gaps between your teeth or cause issues with the frenum. In this situation, your dentist will perform a frenectomy surgery to remove the frenum and reduce its size. Later on, you may wish to consider orthodontic treatment to improve the look of your smile.

Treatment of Periodontal Disease or Periodontitis

Gum disease needs to be treated to eliminate the infection and to prevent issues like tooth loss. The treatment is usually scaling, which refers to removing tartar and the bacteria causing the infection. Your doctor may also prescribe oral or topical antibiotics to assist with infection. In more advanced stages, surgery may be required to remove deep tartar below the gums. Once your gums have returned to good health, your dentist can use one of these options to fix any gaps.

Invisalign

If you have mild to moderate gaps in your teeth, Invisalign might be the perfect fix. It uses a set of clear aligners to shift and straighten your teeth by restoring your bite. Many people like Invisalign more than traditional braces because they’re less visible and you can take them out, making it easier to keep your teeth clean. 

But remember, Invisalign isn’t the right choice for everyone’s orthodontic needs. Your dentist will do a thorough check-up to see if Invisalign is suitable for you. 

Another thing to think about is the cost. Invisalign can sometimes be pricier than braces. However, the right insurance and treatment plan can be a budget-friendly option for many.

Treatments usually close or reduce most gaps. Once treated, the gap usually stays closed unless someone goes back to habits like thumb sucking or doesn’t follow their dentist’s advice.

How to Avoid Diastemas

You cannot avoid every diastema, but if a gum disease or a habitual behavior causes it, you can prevent or slow it down by maintaining good oral hygiene. Here’s a list of things you can do: 

  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day
  • Visit your dentist regularly for teeth check-ups and cleanings
  • Floss your teeth daily
  • Make sure to correct any bad swallowing behavior
  • Stop thumb sucking, and if your child suck their thumb, help them stop sucking their thumb

Is a Diastema Bad?

Not every diastema is an issue or trouble for one’s oral health, but if the gap poses a problem, you should contact your dentist quickly due to future consequences.

Diastemas can cause uneven stress and pressure on the teeth and jaw, which can wear down the gums, enamel, and bone over time, and potentially lead to crooked teeth.

Diastemas can also make eating a bit simpler for patients because food can get stuck in the spaces, leading to plaque buildup, cavities, and unpleasant smells. To prevent these issues, keeping up with good oral hygiene and regular flossing is really important.

What Happens If I Don’t Fix My Diastema?

Usually, nothing major. The spaces between your child’s teeth often close once all their permanent teeth come in. Most people who want treatment for gaps in their front teeth do it for their appearance. But gaps in the back teeth can trap food, leading to tooth decay in the surrounding teeth.

Find a Skilled Dentist Near Me

Gaps between teeth can affect both your appearance and oral health. While some people might find a gap cute, others might want to fix it for health or personal reasons. If you’re worried about your gaps, it’s a good idea to see your dentist for an evaluation and potential solutions. With the appropriate care from a knowledgeable team, you’ll have a gorgeous, healthy smile that leaves a lasting first impression!

Northridge Advanced Dentistry is committed to providing experienced dental services tailored to each patient’s goals. We provide a wide range of quality dental services, including restorative dentistry, to fix your smile. Our highly trained dentists have years of experience and will make every effort to deliver exceptional clinical care. With extensive experience, your care will be effective and customized to meet your unique needs. Call us today at 818-701-3010 to schedule your consultation with us.