Madonna, Vanessa Paradis, Brigitte Bardot, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Patricia Conde, or Eddie Murphy are some of the celebrities who proudly show off their smiles, even if they feature a small gap between their upper front teeth. The well-known dental diastema can be something beautiful, even sexy, and that’s why many celebrities who don’t naturally have it undergo orthodontic treatment to sport this small anomaly that has become a trend. But at what cost? The obsession with appearance is sparking a risky trend that ultimately seeks to mimic an oral health condition that can pose serious health risks.
What is a diastema?
The imperfect smile sometimes gives faces a youthful, adolescent appearance. This is one of the many reasons why celebrities proudly display their diastema without complexes. As we mentioned earlier, diastema is the exaggerated gap between two teeth. Most commonly, diastemas are observed in the upper incisors, that is, in the row of teeth that are visible when smiling. There are many reasons why these interdental spaces can occur, such as oral alignment issues or overbite, the absence of a tooth, periodontal disease that causes tooth mobility, or a wide labial frenulum.
Problems Caused by Diastema
The Diastema as a Trend and the Congenital Risks Involved, such as Cavities and Other Muscular Problems, Can Even Affect Other Parts of the Body. The gap between teeth is a deformity that prevents the full closure of the mouth and proper hygiene. For this reason, it is very easy for plaque to accumulate in certain areas when the toothbrush cannot reach all the teeth properly, ultimately leading to cavities and gum disease. The incorrect alignment of teeth can also cause jaw pain, muscle aches, and headaches.
How Can This Interdental Space Be Corrected?
As trendy as it may seem, it’s best to correct the diastema and safeguard our health. There are different treatments available to close those separated teeth:
- Orthodontics, that is, braces.
- Prosthetic treatments such as the use of porcelain veneers or even implants.
- If none of the aforementioned treatments reduce the interdental space or if it is caused by an overly large frenulum, surgery would be necessary.
I am Dr. Marta Herrero, a graduate in Dentistry, Medicine, and Surgery from the Autonomous University of Madrid and a Specialist in Aesthetic Dentistry, which I am truly passionate about. …Thank you from here to all those patients who have trusted in my knowledge and professionalism.
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Professional registration Nº 28004040
Degree in Medicine and Surgery, Autonomous University of Madrid
Degree in Dentistry, Complutense University of Madrid
Master’s Degree in Aesthetic Dentistry, Complutense University of Madrid
University Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry, San Rafael Hospital, Madrid
University Specialist in Individual and Public Oral Preventive Programs, Complutense University of Madrid
Director of Radiodiagnostic Facilities
Medical Director, Smiling Dental Center
Specialist in Aesthetic Dentistry, Dr. Bruce Crispin, Los Angeles, California
Member of the Spanish Society of Prosthodontics (SEPES)
CPR Course
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