What is diastema?

Discover everything you need to know about diastema – including what they are, what causes them and how you can prevent them – in this article!

Diastema, or gapped teeth, is a common issue that affects nearly 30% of people in the UK.

Whilst it’s usually nothing to worry about, it can be quite a bothersome issue for some patients, affecting their self-esteem and ability to chat with colleagues, laugh with friends, and smile for family photos.

In this article, we discuss all things diastema – including what it is and how you can treat and prevent it.

So, what is diastema?

To put it simply, a diastema is a medical term used to describe a gap between the teeth.

It can happen between any of your teeth but is most common between the two upper front teeth.

A diastema is nothing to worry about and doesn’t require dental treatment, but some patients may choose to seek treatment for cosmetic reasons.

What causes diastema?

Many different things can cause a gap to form between your teeth, some of which are preventable, and others that are unavoidable.

Some of the most common causes of diastema include:

Genetics

Your genes play a huge part in the likelihood of you developing a diastema.

Unfortunately, if your parents or grandparents have gaps between their teeth, there’s a chance that you will too, and there isn’t much you can do to prevent it from happening.

Gum disease

Periodontal disease (or gum disease, as it’s more commonly known), can wreak havoc on your teeth and gums.

It occurs. most often, as a result of poor oral hygiene and over time may cause your teeth to shift apart and become loose, resulting in a diastema.

This is a totally preventable cause of diastema, and you should take good care of your teeth – by brushing twice every day, flossing at least once and attending regular check-ups with your dentist – to steer clear of this issue.

Missing teeth

If you’ve lost teeth, or have a condition known as hypodontia (this means you naturally have missing teeth) your teeth may shift to fill the gap, which sometimes results in a diastema.

Bad habits

Certain oral habits, like tongue thrusting or lip and thumb sucking can, over time, cause your teeth to shift apart, causing a diastema.

What treatment options are available?

No matter the cause of your diastema, there are multiple different treatment options available that can help.

If your diastema is a result of gum disease, then you’ll need to seek dental treatment as soon as possible to eliminate harmful bacteria and stop the progression of the disease.

Once your gum disease is under control, you can choose to close the gap between your teeth with one of the following treatment methods:

• Orthodontic treatment – if you have a large gap between the teeth, braces may be the best option to shift your teeth back together. There are many different options available here at Elite Orthodontics, from traditional metal braces to more modern Invisalign clear aligners.
• Dental bonding – if you’re looking for a quick, non-invasive treatment option to close the gap between your teeth, dental bonding is more than ideal. Your dentist will apply a tooth-coloured resin to conceal the gap, and your teeth will be further shaped and polished for the most natural appearance.
• Dental bridge – if your diastema is a result of missing teeth, your dentist may recommend a dental bridge to replace it. If you’re considering a dental bridge to close the gap left behind, you must have two healthy teeth on either side of the gap, as they will serve as anchors for the restoration.
• Dental implants – dental implants are another tooth replacement option, but there’s no need to alter the neighbouring teeth using a titanium threaded post to replace the tooth root, your dentist will – once you’re fully healed from the surgery – use a dental crown to close your diastema.
• Porcelain veneers – these custom-made ceramic shells permanently adhere to the surface of your teeth and can be used to close any gaps for a more uniform smile.

How can I prevent diastema?

Sometimes, there’s no way we can prevent gaps between the teeth – especially if genetics are part of the equation.

There’s also no way to control the way your permanent teeth grow in once baby teeth have fallen out.

However, when it comes to infection-related gaps in your teeth, you can prevent them by practising good oral hygiene and attending regular cleanings with your dentist.

If you’ve been experiencing bleeding when brushing or flossing your teeth, have noticed your gums are red and swollen, or are having any other new, strange symptoms, schedule a check-up with your dentist as soon as possible.

Discover diastema treatment options at Elite Orthodontics!

If the gap between your teeth is getting you down, we have a range of different orthodontic treatments that can help.

We’ve been helping patients achieve their dream smiles for many years, here at Elite Orthodontics, and our experts would be more than happy to discuss all the available options with you.

To chat with our team, or to book a consultation, give us a call today on 020 7580 5370 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll get back to you shortly!

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