Diastema

A diastema (plural diastemata) is a space or gap between two teeth. Many species of mammals have diastemata as a normal feature, most commonly between the incisors and molars. Diastemata are common for children and can exist in adult teeth as well. Diastemata are primarily caused by imbalance in the relationship between the jaw and the size of teeth. If the labial frenulum (lip tissue) pulls, it can also push the teeth apart and cause a diastema between the center of the two front teeth.

Diastema
Large diastemata between incisors, canines and molars of a normal horse
Details
Identifiers
Latindiastema
MeSHD003970
TAA05.1.03.078
FMA77271
Anatomical terminology

In humans

In humans, the term is most commonly applied to an open space between the upper incisors (front teeth). It happens when there is an unequal relationship between the size of the teeth and the jaw. 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.

Treatment

1. Determining the cause of the diastema, then treat the cause.

2. Diastema treatment options can differ from one patient to another, but generally it is treated by orthodontics,[1] or composite fillings, or a combination of veneers or crowns.

In The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer wrote of the "gap-toothed wife of Bath".[2] As early as this time period, the gap between the front teeth, especially in women, was associated with lustful characteristics.[3] Thus, the implication in describing "the gap-toothed wife of Bath" is that she is a middle-aged woman with insatiable lust.[3] This has no scientific basis, but it has been a common premise in folklore since the Middle Ages.

In Ghana, Namibia and Nigeria, diastemata are regarded as being attractive and a sign of fertility, and some people have even had them created through cosmetic dentistry.[4] In France, they are called "dents du bonheur" ("lucky/happiness teeth").[5] This expression originated in Napoleon's time: when the Napoleonic army recruited, it was imperative that soldiers had incisors in perfect condition because they had to open the paper cartridges (containing powder and ball) with their teeth when loading their muskets. All those who had teeth apart were then classified as unfit to fight. Some men broke their own teeth to avoid going to war. Les Blank's Gap-Toothed Women (1987) is a 30 minute documentary film about diastematic women.[6]

Famous people
Actor Terry-Thomas was known for his 1⁄3-inch (8.5 mm) diastema.

Some well-known people noted for having diastema include:

  • musicians Charley Pride, Ray Davies of The Kinks, Elvis Costello; Madonna, Dave Brockie a.k.a. Oderus Urungus and guitarist Corey Smoot a.k.a. Flattus Maximus, both of GWAR, Melanie Martinez, Becky G, Laura Pausini, Edmund Sylvers, Elton John, Mac DeMarco, Seal, Flea, 50 Cent, Pharoahe Monch, guitarist Steve Howe, and singer Bobby Brown and his daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown;[7]
  • models Jessica Hart, Lindsey Wixson, Lauren Hutton,[8] Georgia May Jagger,[3] and Lara Stone;
  • American television news reporter and anchor Michelle Charlesworth;
  • American football player Michael Strahan; association football player Ronaldo;
  • French tennis player Yannick Noah;
  • actresses Vanessa Paradis, Léa Seydoux, Amira Casar, Eve Myles, Cécile de France, Béatrice Dalle, Jorja Fox, Anna Paquin and Uzo Aduba,
  • actors Ernest Borgnine, Terry-Thomas, Jemaine Clement, and Jamaica's Keith 'Shebada' Ramsay; former late night TV show host David Letterman; antiques expert and TV personality Tim Wonnacott;
  • comedians Jimmy Tarbuck "The Gap-Toothed Chuckle Chappy", and Paul F. Tompkins,[9]
  • professional wrestler and former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode; Major League Baseball player Jimmy Rollins;
  • Politicians and leaders including former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.;[2][4] former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor,[3] and, according to released photos, several of the children of Nicholas II of Russia.
Midline diastema

References
  1. Wheeler, Bryan; K. Carrico, Caroline; Shroff, Bhavna; Brickhouse, Tegman; Laskin, Daniel (2017-11-01). "Management of the Maxillary Diastema by Various Dental Specialties". Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 76. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2017.11.024.
  2. Rachel Dodes (September 8, 2010). "We Don't Mind the Gap: The Fashionable Flash a New Smile". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  3. Garmaise, Ariella (2018-04-04). "Gap-Toothed Women". The McGill Tribune. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
  4. "Midline diastemata in fashion". Bite magazine website. October 14, 2010. Archived from the original on April 20, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  5. McGuiness, Romina (December 8, 2010). "The year of the gap-tooth trend". Metro. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  6. Canby, Vincent (1987-09-16). "Film: 'Gap-Toothed Women,' 'Miss . . . or Myth?'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
  7. Gary Hill. "Steve Howe". AllMusic. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  8. Ebert, Roger. "Gap-Toothed Women Movie Review (1988)". Roger Ebert. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
  9. "Diastema (dentistry)". Factualworld. Retrieved 3 Apr 2014.
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