Diastema Closure

A diastema is an area of extra space between two or more teeth. The two front teeth of the upper jaw area is where diastema is most frequently seen. Many children experience diastema as primary teeth fall out, though in most cases these spaces close when the permanent teeth erupt.

Diastemas may also be caused by a tooth size discrepancy, missing teeth or an oversized labial frenum, the tissue that extends from the inside of the lip to the gum tissue where the upper two front teeth are located. Secondary reasons involve oral alignment issues such as an overjet or protrusion of the teeth.

Symptoms: A diastema occurs because of a mismatch between the teeth and the jaw. However, spaces caused by a tongue thrust habit or periodontal disease will tend to expand or grow with time. The teeth may become loose, and discomfort or pain may occur, particularly during biting or chewing.

PROCEDURE

Diastema's can be found in a dental arch that has generalized spacing between many teeth. More commonly, diastema's appear as a single space between the front teeth with all other teeth in the arch being in a normal contact relationship.

There are two ways to treat a diastema. The first involves orthodontically moving the teeth together with braces, and this option usually requires one to two years of treatment. Many patients do not want to wear braces and seek alternative ways to close their diastemas. When the space between the teeth is one millimeter or less, the diastema can be closed by placing a bonded composite restoration on each adjacent tooth. When the space is larger than one millimeter, or when more permanent and stronger restorations are required, porcelain veneers are the restorations of choice.

Porcelain veneers are eggshell thin pieces of porcelain applied directly over the tooth structure after some initial tooth preparation. Once the porcelain veneers are fused to the underlying tooth structure, they can reestablish the look of straight teeth and can close spaces without the use of braces. Additionally, the color, shape, and size of the teeth can be altered to the wishes of the patient for overall smile enhancement. And the greatest advantage of porcelain veneers is that the treatment can be completed in only two painless visits!