DENTAL HEALTH....DIASTEMA – Gaps BetweenTeeth

DENTAL HEALTH….DIASTEMA – Gaps BetweenTeeth

Oct 02, 2016 News

By Dr. Neromini Fagu
Morgan Freeman, David Letterman, Oprah Winfrey, Madonna and Arnold Schwarzenegger are all famous people but they also have something else in common- Diastemas.
A diastema is a space or gap between teeth. It can occur anywhere in the mouth and can be generalized or localized in one spot. However, it is most noticeable in the front set of teeth especially between the upper central incisors.
It is a relatively common condition occurring among both children and adults.
According to scientists, diastemas are also found frequently in mammals especially in those whose diets are composed mainly of vegetation. Sheep, rodents and beavers have gaps between their teeth and it is thought that this gap aid in easy transfer of food from the cheek for better ingestion. Additionally, when these animals gnaw, the food is easily pushed through the gaps.
Views of Diastema
In humans, diastemas are viewed differently in various parts of the world. In France, the name for gap teeth is “dents du bonheur,” which translates to “lucky teeth” and in Australia, gapped front teeth in children are said to be a predictor of future wealth.
In African countries such as Nigeria and Zambia, women with a gap in the front teeth are seen as very fertile. This trait is considered to be very attractive and has sex appeal, making these women very desirable. Among some tribes, having a diastema is an indication of wisdom. In medieval times, the gaps were seen in women as a sign of their lustfulness.
What Causes Diastema?
Gaps between the teeth may develop as a result of mismatched jaw bone size and teeth size. As children grow, teeth develop gaps because their baby teeth remain the same size is in their mouth while their jaw is growing. Once all the adult teeth have erupted, the space is usually filled in. Habits such as tongue thrusting, finger sucking or placing foreign objects between teeth may also contribute to gaps. Also, naturally missing teeth or extracted teeth that are not replaced will cause gaps to form.
People with a large frenum may also have gapped teeth. A frenum is a fold of tissue that connects the gum to the lip and if it is unusually large it may connect through to the gum tissue between the teeth. Sometimes the frenum attachment extends lower than usual and contributes to a separation of the front teeth, and may contribute to keeping them apart.
Diastemas may also form if there is a serious medical or dental condition. They could be due to tumours in which case the tumor growths may need to be removed. Gum disease may also contribute to gaps as it causes the shrinkage of gum tissue and bone.
Some people are quite happy with their gaps and it even becomes a trademark for them. For them, it is not a flaw but a feature. However, if your gap is a cause for discomfort or is due to health issues then you may opt for treatment. Your dentist will evaluate your condition and suggest a treatment plan. You may need to be referred to a dental specialist such as an orthodontist or periodontist.
Treatment Options for Diastema
If the space between the teeth is relatively small, dental bonding may be a treatment option. In this procedure a resin based material is sculpted and shaped to fill in the gaps. Larger gaps may require reshaping of the teeth so they can be covered with veneers to match the neighbouring teeth.
Another option is orthodontic treatment which may use traditional braces to close up the teeth and eliminate gaps. Invisalign braces may also be used but these are usually more expensive. If the gap is due to a large frenum, then a frenectomy may be done to surgically relocate the position of the frenum attachment.

For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu@hotmail.com.

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