What Is A Diastema?
Posted on: 28 January 2015
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Simply put, a diastema is a gap or space between two teeth. While it is more common to have between your top front teeth, you can have a diastema anywhere in your mouth. Here is more information about this type of condition, including what causes it and what you can do to close the gap.
Causes of Diastemas
There are a few different causes of diastemas, most of which occur as an infant or young child. Some gaps between the teeth are simply genetic. If you have a parent that naturally had spaces between their teeth, you have a higher probability as well. Others develop it as young children when their teeth first come in, because they are sucking their thumb or using a pacifier. This puts pressure against the front teeth and can actually cause them to grow in with a space between them. If you have a missing tooth, other teeth may shift, which can also cause a diastema. Additionally, if you have periodontal disease, you can get spaces between your teeth from this condition.
Symptoms of Diastemas
Most of the symptoms of spaces between your teeth are visual. You can clearly see that there is a small gap between two of your teeth, in comparison to the rest of your teeth. If you have this condition because of other causes, then you might show additional symptoms. For example, if you have a missing molar, you may start experiencing pressure and discomfort of nearby teeth. This is actually a sign that your teeth are shifting and might start causing a gap. Pain or discomfort can also be experienced if you start getting a gap from periodontal disease.
Diastemas Are Permanent
It is extremely rare for a gap or space between your teeth to close on its own. This would require other teeth to move in such a way that it allows the gap to close. Even then, it isn't exactly a good thing because it means there are reasons your other teeth are beginning to shift. In most cases, you will need to get professional treatment from an orthodontist to close the gap. The most common way to close a gap is with braces or invisible braces. You can also try other cosmetic dental procedures, such as bonding or veneers to make it appear like you do not have a diastema.
If you do not yet have a diastema, but want to prevent it, get regular oral care. By visiting your dentist regularly, you avoid losing a decayed tooth or dealing with a gap as a result of periodontal disease. Talk to dentists like Montillo Dental Associates Braintree for more information.