Causes 1.
Oversized Labial Frenulum: Diastema is sometimes caused or exacerbated by the action of a labial
frenulum (the tissue connecting the lip to the gum), causing high mucosal attachment and less attached keratinized tissue. This is more prone to recession or by tongue thrusting, which can push the teeth apart. 2.
Periodontal Disease: Periodontal disease, also known as
gum disease, can result in bone loss that supports the teeth. If a person loses enough bone, the teeth can become loose and cause gaps to form. 3.
Mesiodens: Mesiodens is an extra tooth that grows behind the front teeth. A mesiodens may push the front teeth apart to make room for itself thus creating a gap between the front teeth. 4.
Skeletal discrepancy: Dental skeletal discrepancy can be a cause behind gap teeth. If the upper jaw grows more than the lower jaw, teeth on the upper jaw will have more space to cover thus leaving gaps between them. 5.
Proclination: If the front teeth are angled forward, a small gap between them may appear large. This is called proclination; it may be a result of aggressive tongue thrusting.
Treatment A diastema is not a pathology and doesn't require treatment. Any interventions to modify a diastema are purely cosmetic. Diastema is treated by determining and treating the cause. Treatment options can differ from one patient to another, but generally it is treated by
orthodontics,
composite fillings or a combination of
veneers and
crowns. == Historical and popular culture references ==