What you should know about teeth-spacing?

    Don't we all dream of a perfect set of teeth without spacing or crowding? Well spacing is common in children and mostly gets corrected by itself as permanent teeth come in. Except in few cases, where timely diagnosis and correction can make that dream come true. This is where regular dental visits come into play! 

  

Generalised spacing

Localised spacing- Midline diastema

  Midline diastema (spacing)- gap between two upper front teeth.

 Causes of midline diastema include,

• High frenal attachment

  
• Mesiodens- an extra tooth between two upper teeth

  

• Ugly duckling stage (explained later in this post)
• Retained milk teeth
• Midline pathology- cyst, tumor

  
• Pressure habits

 Some causes of generalised spacing can be,

• Pressure habits- Tongue thrusting, thumb sucking
• Macroglossia- Tongue size larger than normal
• Microdontia- Teeth size smaller than the jaw
• Macrognathia- Jaw size larger than teeth
• Loss of permanent teeth
• Unerupted supernumerary teeth
• Any pathologies- cysts, tumor, periodontitis
• Also generalised spacing is common in primary (milk teeth) dentition

   Spacing between teeth can cause more concerns than just aesthetics. You may find difficulty in articulating certain sounds. Also it might be difficult to maintain oral hygiene.

How is it treated?

   Generalised spacing requires fixed appliance therapy. The treatment can be started once all the permanent teeth are erupted.

   On the other hand, midline diastema can be corrected immediately by,

• Crown placement
• Light cure composite (LC) filling
• Veneering

Also by traditional methods like removable and fixed appliances.

   

Why correcting midline diastema is important?

 Midline diastema is a common esthetic problem. Facial esthetic is regarded as an important factor determining the social interactions and quality of life.   

  Hence correcting this can significantly improve self-confidence and standard of living.

Ugly duckling stage:

7years                          9years                        14years

   Ugly duckling stage is a temporary form of malocclusion- midline diastema. It is seen between 7-11 years of age.

   This is because when the growing canine strikes the roots of central incisors (front teeth) causes spacing between them. 

   A gap of up to 2mm closes itself. Any attempt of correcting this spacing is hazardous. 

  

   Teeth with gap or no gap, never forget to smile for it can do wonders!