A smile like Madonna’s: the opinion of experts on whether it is necessary to eliminate the gap between the teeth

Should a diastema (as the gap between the front teeth is called in professional language) be removed and can it be prevented in children? We have collected the answers of our doctors to popular questions on the topic.

Why is a diastema formed?

As a rule, in most cases, the cause is a short frenulum of the upper lip.

All soft tissues are attached to the bone. If the frenulum of the upper lip is short, then in the process of talking or eating, it is constantly stretched, as if training the bone tissue to which it is attached. And a very dense bone tissue forms between the central incisors.

As a result, when permanent teeth are formed, they cannot close together.

Is it always harmful to walk with a short bridle?

It depends on how short the bridle is, what its shape is. Sometimes a short frenulum leads only to a diastema, and sometimes to gum recession: the gums seem to slide away from the tooth, exposing the root.

Another possible concomitant problem is that it is difficult to properly clean the front teeth due to a short bridle. Because of this, they develop caries at the base of the teeth.

It turns out, do you need to trim the children’s bridle? And when?

We usually recommend this surgery at one age or another:

• newborns, if a short bridle creates difficulties in feeding and the child does not gain weight;
• at the age of 6, when the milk central incisors fall out, and the permanent ones begin to erupt.

Which doctor should be consulted with a gap between the teeth?

Not only to a dental surgeon or maxillofacial surgeon, but also to an orthodontist. Diastema is usually a combined problem.