Diastema is a medical name for a condition that creates natural gaps between teeth. Although gaps can naturally occur or develop anywhere in the mouth, people associate diastema with the gap between the two front teeth.
Diastema affects individuals differently, as the gap width tends to fall on a spectrum. But treatment tends to be similar between all the different cases. In the following article, we will explore all the types of diastema, its causes, and most importantly treatment.
What is diastema ?
Diastema is a dental condition that can affect anyone. In most cases, the condition is hereditary, although other factors can sometimes cause diastema to develop. The gap might be harmless and there are typically no side effects that come with the dental condition.
Is diastema hereditary?
Genetics control the size of your jaw, the shape of teeth, and even the alignment and distribution of your teeth. So, more times than not diastema is hereditary.
But it is also important to realize that teeth are very sensitive to consistent force and pressure; so certain poor habits can cause diastema.
Another common cause of gapping can be tooth loss. When you lose a tooth along with its root, your remaining teeth will naturally want to fill up the space. So what happens is that after your teeth shift a bit, some gaps may begin to emerge.
Of course, the process does not happen overnight. The shift is usually gradual and that is why it is important to consider dental implants as a treatment if you suffer tooth loss.
Diastema causes
There are four common causes of diastema:
1- Missing teeth
As we explained above, missing teeth can be a cause of diastema anywhere in the mouth. Without a dental implant to fill up the gap, your teeth will shift creating more gaps around the mouth.
2- A large frenum
A frenum is a soft tissue that connects the upper lips to the gums. In some patients, the frenulum or frenum can be bigger than average and come in between the front teeth creating a gap.
3- Your dental anatomy
The third possible cause of diastema can simply be the anatomy of your jaw and teeth. If your teeth are smaller than average, their distribution will include gaps between your teeth.
Likewise, your jaw can be much bigger than average, so although your teeth are normal in size, there will still be some gaps between your teeth.
4- Gum disease
Sometimes, the gum tissue around teeth can begin to wear down and recede below the gum margin. This is typically the result of poor oral hygiene, infection, or simply aging. You can read more on receding gums here.
Once the gum tissue wears down to a certain point, the space that it used to fill up will become a gap.
Best treatment options for gaps between teeth
Treatment plans for diastema are very diverse and which treatment is best for you is a topic that you should discuss with your dentist.
1- Orthodontics
Braces are a very popular treatment for any kind of alignment issue. The technique implements the strategic application of forces to cause your teeth to move in the direction you desire. It is also a great alternative for gapping between teeth. You should note that with braces it will take months before the gaps between your teeth close.
For those who are not fond of the bulky metallic aesthetic that braces present, the field of orthodontics provides a versatile selection of discreet braces. These include the Invisalign as well as lingual braces.
2- Veneers
veneers are another great treatment for diastema that affects the front teeth. Veneers are very slim shells that go on the front of your teeth. They can come in composite or porcelain depending on your financial plan.
Of course, porcelain veneers are far more durable and can look extremely natural in comparison to composite resin. This is ideal for people with small teeth but the treatment can work perfectly well on other teeth sizes.
Unlike braces, the results of veneers are very instantaneous and long-lasting.
3- Bonding
Bonding is a treatment approach that uses composite resin, a clay-like material, to close the gap between teeth. Composite resin is flexible but only to a certain extent when it comes to customization.
There are only a certain number of shades that your dentist can achieve to color-match. Therefore, bonding may not provide the most natural finish. Nevertheless, it is still a viable option to consider and it provides instantaneous results.
However, you should note that composite resin is very prone to chipping and you will need to change your bonding every 5 years. On the other hand, porcelain can last up to 15 years.
4- Periodontology
You can consider treatments like gum flap surgery or free graft surgery to reverse receding gums. This will help close off the gaps between the teeth.
Cost of treatment for diastema
Treatment options for diastema are versatile and patients can certainly find the right treatment for their case. There are currently 3 big destinations for dental work and the list includes Turkey, the UK, and the USA.
For dental tourism, Turkey takes the crown; where thousands of patients from all over the world flock to the country for its affordable world-class dental and medical care.
Additionally, clinics like Dentakay in Turkey tend to offer international patients luxury services that make their experience extremely comfortable. From airport reception to private transport and more.
| Procedure | Turkey | UK | USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain Veneers(1 unit) | $270 – $370 | $1,300 – $1,700 | $2,000 – $2,500 |
| Lumineers (1 unit) | $420 – $520 | $900 – $1,200 | $1,500 – $2,000 |
| Composite Veneers (1 unit) | $120 – $200 | $450 – $600 | $800 – $950 |
| Invisalign | $3000 – $3,500 | $5,000 – $6,000 | $4,500 – $5,500 |
| Lingual Braces | $3,000 – $3,500 | $6,000 – $7,500 | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| Gum Flap Procedure | $800 – $1,000 | $1,200 – $1,700 | $1,500 – $2,700 |
The Takeaway
Diastema may be a harmless condition, but for many, it can be a cause of self-esteem issues. Although the condition can occur for many reasons, the most popular factor is hereditary. According to the ADA, up to 25% of adults have a form of diastema, but luckily there are many treatments in dentistry that can reverse and correct the condition.
Some treatments like veneers and bonding provide instantaneous results, whereas braces will take a longer period to make changes and patients usually have to wear retainers to maintain the results.
For more information on diastema treatments or dental tourism in Turkey, please get in touch with our dental specialists. Our team of experts will address all your concerns in a free online consultation.
