Significance Of Various Etiological Factors As An Indicator For The Persistence Of Median Diastema

Abstract

Maxillary midline diastemas are a common esthetic problem that dentists must treat. This study was performed to quantify the width of median diastema and level of bone crest and to determine the type of inter-maxillary suture, familial prevalence, spacing in upper anterior region, axial inclination of upper centeral incisors, and low frenal attachment as the most contributing factors associated with median diastema. A standardized periapical radiographs using a paralleling technique with a film holder were taken to the (99) maxillary and/or mandibular centeral incisors with median diastema and to the (85) maxillary incisors with no diastema as a control group in adults with age range from 18-25 years old. Diastema width between 0.5-1 mm has a higher percent while diastema above 2 mm has a least percent. There is a non-significant difference in the level of alveolar crest of central incisor in both control and diastema groups. Type I intermaxillary suture type was the most common in control group while type II and III were the most common in diastema. There is a relationship between spacing and type of intermaxillary suture which can use as an indicator for the persistence of diastema from childhood in addition to familial history while frenum may has no effective role in developing median diastema. Axial inclination of central incisors is one of important factors that should be taken in consideration during treatment of median diastema