Diastema

Diastema is the clinical term for a gap between teeth. While gaps can be anywhere in your mouth, diastema (day-uh-STEE-muh) is most common between your two front teeth (midline diastema).

This condition affects people of all ages. But it’s more common in children, whose gaps may close once all of their permanent (adult) teeth come in.

Most healthcare providers view diastema as a variation of normal dental development. Having a gap between your teeth doesn’t often have a negative impact on your oral health. But if the gap is new or changing size due to an infection in your gums (periodontitis), you may need gum disease treatment.

Symptoms of diastema

There’s only one sign of diastema: a gap between your teeth. If your teeth and gums are healthy, there usually aren’t any other symptoms.

If gum disease caused the gap, you may notice symptoms like:

• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling

Diastema causes

Many people are prone to diastema because of their genes. That’s why the condition sometimes runs in families. Traits you inherit that can cause a gap include:

• Missing teeth
• Teeth that are too small
• An oversized frenum (the band of tissue that connects your lip to your gums)

In some cases, diastema may form because you regularly clench your teeth or have an abnormal swallowing reflex. For example, your tongue should press against the roof of your mouth when you swallow. But if you press your tongue against your front teeth instead, the pressure can cause a gap to form over time.

For some people, gaps between their teeth form as a result of advanced gum disease. With this condition, infection erodes your jawbone, causing gaps and loose teeth.

Risk factors

Midline diastema (when there’s a gap between the two upper front teeth) is more common among certain groups. For example, some studies show that people who are Black are more likely to have diastema compared to people who are white or of Asian descent.

How to lower your risk

You can reduce your risk of diastema related to infection by having good oral hygiene. This includes seeing your dentist for regular cleanings and exams. If you notice redness, swelling, bleeding or other signs of gum disease, schedule a visit with your dentist right away.

How doctors diagnose this condition

Your dentist can diagnose diastema during a routine dental exam. You won’t need any other tests.

How do you fix diastema?

There are several ways to fix diastema. Treatment depends on whether the gap is due to gum disease or if it’s about how your teeth look (cosmetic issues).

Cosmetic treatments for diastema

If your teeth are healthy and you’d just prefer to close the gap, there are several cosmetic treatments available, including:

• Dental bonding: Your dentist applies a tooth-colored composite resin material to hide the gap. Then, they’ll shape and polish your teeth for a natural appearance.
• Porcelain veneers: These are custom-made ceramic shells that adhere to your front tooth surfaces. They can close a gap between the teeth for a more uniform look.
• Braces: If the gap is large, you may need braces or clear orthodontic aligners to move your teeth closer together.
• Frenectomy: If the tissue that connects your lip to your gums is too thick, it can push your teeth apart, creating a gap. A frenectomy releases this tissue. Often, this surgery happens with another cosmetic procedure, like dental bonding or veneers.
• Dental bridge: If a missing tooth causes a gap, you may need a bridge to replace it. To place a bridge, you must have two healthy teeth on either side of the gap. These teeth will serve as anchors for your new teeth.
• Dental implant: An implant is a threaded titanium post that replaces a missing tooth root. Once it’s healed, your dentist will place a dental crown to restore the tooth and close the gap between your teeth.

Gum disease treatments for diastema

If gum disease causes diastema, you’ll need periodontal treatment to get rid of harmful bacteria. Once the infection is under control, you may choose to address the gap between your teeth with one of the cosmetic treatments listed above.

Common gum treatments include:

• Scaling and root planing: If you have mild gum disease, your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing — a deep dental cleaning. This involves cleaning down on the root surface of the tooth to remove tartar and plaque.
• Gingival flap surgery: If you have moderate to advanced gum disease, you may need surgery.

For gingival flap surgery, your periodontist creates an incision along your gum line. Then, they move your gums back so they can see your teeth roots. After cleaning your teeth roots, they’ll suture (stitch) your gums back into place. If you have bone loss around a tooth, they may place a dental bone graft to help regrow bone tissue.

When should I see my dentist?

If the gap between your teeth is making you feel self-conscious about smiling, schedule a consultation with your dentist. If you have a gap that’s getting wider, call your dentist. This could be a sign of gum disease.

In the meantime, see your dentist at least every six months for dental exams and cleanings.

What can I expect if I have this condition?

Unless an infection is causing diastema, it’s nothing to worry about. It doesn’t harm your oral health. In fact, many people embrace the gaps between their teeth as part of the charm behind their smiles.

If you prefer to close the gap, there are lots of treatment options to help you reach your goals.

Does diastema go away?

It’s common for a gap in children’s teeth to go away once their adult teeth come in. But whether this happens depends on the diastema’s cause. The size of the gap matters, too. Bigger gaps may still be noticeable even after a child gets their adult teeth.

If you have a gap between permanent teeth, it’s less common for diastema to go away on its own.