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Diastema
| Diastema is a space between two teeth. A mismatch between the size of the jaw bones and the size of the teeth can cause either extra space between teeth or crowding of teeth. If the teeth are too small for the jaw bone, spaces between the teeth will occur. If the teeth are too big for the jaw, teeth will be crowded.
Sometimes some teeth are missing or undersized. This happens most often with the upper lateral incisors.
A diastema also can be caused by an oversized labial frenum. The labial frenum is the piece of tissue that normally extends from the inside of your upper lip to the gum just above your two upper front teeth. In some situations, the labial frenum continues to grow and passes between the two front teeth. If this happens, it blocks the natural closing of the space between these teeth.
Children may have temporary gaps as their baby teeth fall out. Most of these spaces close as the permanent teeth reach their final positions.
Prevention :
Not all spaces can be prevented. The best way to reduce the chance of a diastema is to take good care of the primary teeth. The baby/primary teeth hold the spaces for the permanent teeth. If they are lost too early, the adult teeth may not enter the mouth in the correct places. | | Send this story to a friend | Printer Friendly |
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