Dealing with a Gap Tooth

If you've had to endure taunts of "Gappy" in school, it probably didn’t offer too much comfort to know that Madonna has one or that a gap between teeth is considered lucky in some cultures.  Diastema is the medical term used to describe a space or gap between two teeth, especially the two upper front teeth.  It usually occurs because the size of the jaw bones and the size of the teeth don’t match, causing either an additional space between the teeth, or crowding of teeth. If the size of the tooth is too small when compared to the jaw bone, it will lead to spaces between the teeth. On the other hand, if the size is too big, there is overcrowding of teeth.  
There are other reasons for this space as well.

• Diastema can occur in case of missing teeth or teeth that are too small. This often happens with the upper lateral incisors.
• Another reason could be an oversized labial freneum, the piece of tissue extending from the inner side of the upper lip to the gums above the upper two front teeth.  If this labial freneum continues to grow passing between the two front teeth, it prevents the natural process of closing of the space between the teeth.
• Children who are beginning to have their teeth fall out will also experience some degree of diastema. . However, this usually is not a matter of concern as these gaps usually close naturally once the permanent teeth take their final positions.

It is difficult to notice any external symptoms in patients of Diastema. The only visible signs are the spaces or gaps that can be noticed while you're brushing the teeth or flossing them.  Your dentist may also notice these gaps during a routine dental checkup.
The bad news is that if these spaces relate to permanent teeth, they will remain for life.  The good news is that these can be prevented and even treated early on.

Preventing Gaps
Taking good care of your baby’s primary or milk teeth can help you prevent diastema. This is because it's the baby teeth that make spaces for the permanent teeth, and losing them before time will not help align the teeth properly along the jaw line.
 
Treatment of diastema

Fixing diastema is generally a cosmetic procedure since this problem isn’t really harmful to your health.  Braces are commonly used to close the gaps between teeth. However, you must wear the braces together on both your upper and lower teeth.    Also, once the problem is treated, wearing your retainers as directed by your physician will help prevent the space from opening up again.