Everything you need to know about Midline Diastema

Ten Important Facts That You Should Know About Midline Diastema

Written by Dr Amrita Jain

Medically reviewed by  Dr. Vidhi Bhanushali Kabade BDS, TCC

Last updated Dec 4, 2023

Written by Dr Amrita Jain

Medically reviewed by  Dr. Vidhi Bhanushali Kabade BDS, TCC

Last updated Dec 4, 2023

If your smile has been bothering you, you may have a space between two of your front teeth! You may have noticed it when you were a child, but haven’t thought about it for a long time. But now that you are looking into getting braces, the diastema (midline diastema) is back on your mind.

Here’s what you need to know about this common orthodontic condition:

  • A diastema is a space(gap) between two teeth.
  • The most common type of diastema is called a midline diastema, which is when the space is between the two front teeth.
  • It is often a result of genetics but can be caused by orthodontic habits in childhood or accidents.
  • It can affect both children and adults, but not every adult has had this gap since childhood.
  • It is more common in females than in males.
  • If you have midline diastema, you are in good company! Madonna and Jeffree Star are among the many celebrities with this gap in their teeth.
  • If you have a severe case of midline diastema and it causes problems with your bite, you may need surgery to correct it.
  • In most cases, however, cosmetic dentistry such as veneers or bonding will suffice to close the gap.
  • You can also wear braces to correct any misalignment that might cause your teeth to overlap the way they do now if that is what is causing your diastema to begin with (though most people with midline diastema just have genetic gaps).
  • If you want to avoid having any unnecessary dental work done, you can use toothpaste for sensitive teeth, which will clean your teeth without making them too sensitive

What Does Midline Diastema Mean?

What Does Midline Diastema Mean

Midline diastema means a gap (or space) between the two upper front teeth. This is usually caused by genetics, but it can also be caused by other factors such as habits, such as thumb-sucking and tongue thrusting. In some cases, the upper teeth can appear too narrow for the jaw and cause a gap to form.

How Common Is Midline Diastema?

Midline diastema is more common in people who have certain ethnic backgrounds, including Native American, African American, and Latino populations. It can also be more common in girls than boys. Midline diastema is not uncommon, and in fact, it affects more than 60% of people at some point in their lives. It is most common in young children and usually disappears as they grow older. However, genetics can cause gaps to form into adulthood.

Can I Prevent Midline Diastema?

You can prevent midline diastema by getting braces. Braces will help pull teeth together and close any gaps in your mouth. If you think you might have midline diastema or if you’re interested in preventing this condition, contact us today!

How Can I Treat Midline Diastema?

In some cases, surgery may be required to treat midline diastema but this is only for extreme cases where there has been significant damage caused by dental trauma or disease such as periodontal disease (gum disease). Otherwise, treatment will usually involve either braces or bonding/veneers which involves placing porcelain veneers over

Braces

applying-orthodontic-wax-dental-braces-brackets-teeth-after-whitening-self-ligating-brackets-with-metal-ties-gray-elastics-rubber-bands-perfect-smile

The first step in treatment for midline diastema is to see an orthodontist for an evaluation and consultation. An oral surgeon or periodontist may also provide some guidance on how best to correct this condition, but their expertise will be limited to the specific tooth or teeth involved in the diastema.

The second step in treatment for midline diastema involves seeing an oral surgeon. During this appointment, your dentist will use a special orthodontic tool called an “alignment bite” to move the jaw into its proper position and then place implants in each tooth that has been moved out of alignment due to midline diastema.

Dental bonding

Dental bonding is a quick, painless and affordable procedure for treating midline diastema. A cosmetic dentist can use dental bonding to close the gap between the two upper front teeth using composite resin. Composite resin is a tooth colored material that is applied directly to the tooth and hardened by a special light. This treatment can be used to restore chipped or broken teeth, fill in gaps between teeth, and provide a whiter smile.

Dental veneers

dental Veneer treatment for midline diastema

Dental veneers are one of the most popular treatments for closing gaps between teeth. Veneers are thin shells that are attached to the front of the teeth to improve their appearance. Dental veneers can also be used to close gaps between teeth and make them appear more uniform in size, shape, and color. For midline diastema, porcelain veneers are generally recommended because they have better stain resistance than composite veneers.

Invisalign

smiling-woman-holding-invisalign-invisible-braces

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that involves wearing clear aligner trays to gradually straighten the teeth over time. Invisalign has become increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional metal braces because it can treat mild cases of crooked or misaligned teeth without metal wires or brackets. Invisalign can also be used to close minor gaps between the teeth.

If you have a midline diastema—a gap between your two front teeth—you’re not alone.

This is an incredibly common problem. In fact, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, around 40% of Americans have midline diastemas.

Midline diastemas can be a big source of self-consciousness for lots of people. But at scanO, we specialize in helping people feel more confident about the way their teeth look! We can help you close your gap with the latest cosmetic dentistry techniques.

No one knows exactly why it happens

There are numerous theories, but they’re all just theories. One study published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation found that genetics may play a role in whether someone ends up with a midline diastema; if your parents have them, according to this study, you’re more likely to have them too. But there’s no definite answer yet as to what causes this issue. It’s not caused by thumb sucking or tongue pushing. Many people assume that these habits cause the gap to develop, but they don’t! You might see

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Author Bio: Dr. Amrita Jain is a practicing dental surgeon since 4 years. She completed her B.D.S in 2016 and was has been a rank holder throughout her course. She suggests “Holistic dentistry is the best dentistry”. Her treatment line follows a conservative pattern which means saving a tooth is of utmost priority and preventing your teeth from getting decayed rather than curing it with a root canal treatment. She inculcates the same while consulting her patients. Apart from her interest in clinical practice, she has developed interest in research and writing over a period of time. She states “It is my clinical experience that motivates me to write and spread dental awareness”. Her articles are well researched with a combination of technical knowledge and clinical experience.

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