Spaces and Gaps
A Diastema is a gap between two teeth. It appears most frequently between the two top front teeth, where it is called a maxillary midline diastema (MMD), and it a reason why many people seek orthodontic treatment.
It is important to determine WHY the space exists to determine the best way to treat it. Below are three common examples:
Top teeth are too far forward. Treatment: Pull them back and the space closes.
Teeth are smaller than usual. Treatment: Redistribute space with Invisalign® or braces and have a restorative dentist fill in the "new" gaps for better proportion and harmony.
Spacing develops in adulthood/middle-age. This may be due to changes in periodontal support, loss of posterior teeth, and changes in occlusion which can all lead to gaps in the front teeth. Treatment helps undo these changes and stabilize teeth using retention.
See examples of patient treatments below:
