Friday 4 May 2012

Gaps in between teeth?


Crowding and spacing are among the most common teeth problems in adults, with crowding affecting about 24% of women and 14% of men, and spacing found in 8% of women and 13% of men. In Asian society, ambivalence exists as to whether a diastema is a favorable physical trait or not. A small mid-line diastema is usually not considered unattractive by any group of people.

However, as the size of the gap increases to a more easily seen physical trait, the level of comfort someone has in personally possessing a “gapped-tooth appearance” may decrease to the point of creating a feeling of self-consciousness. If the condition develops an outward self-consciousness in relation to the way a person feels about a personal physical trait they possess, it can affect the way that person acts in life. This, in turn, could have a negative influence in certain career and social situations in which they are placed.
There can be wide variations of perception concerning the significance of a midline diastema when translated through different cultures, socioeconomic groups, and ethnic backgrounds. Indeed, unfair and ill-perceived judgments are leveled at people who possess certain physical traits. When testing the perceptions of subjects viewing anonymous faces with certain features, including dental midline diastemas, the subjects ranked the individuals in the images to be significantly less intelligent, beautiful, and sexually attractive. In addition, the anonymous faces were judged to belong to a lower socioeconomic class than the same faces with an ideal occlusal presentation. This finding illustrated that a social disadvantage was wrongly implied, simply on the appearance of one’s dentition—even if it was a healthy one.

Case Report

An 51-year-old asian  female reported to Dentist & Dontist Dental clinic, Hyderabad, with unsightly appearance of her teeth. On examination she had normal medical history. Coming to the dental history she had visited a dentist 5 years ago for checkup & he had suggested filling the gap in between her teeth. A composite restoration was done & it was fine for 2 years .the restoration was lost after 2 years  and she got it filled again but it was lost. Vexed with the filling she didn’t get it done again, but she was very unhappy with her smile.

Treatment, Progress & Results

The patient was seen every eight to 12 weeks (four to six aligners) to check for aligner fit, and cooperation (Fig. 2). Excellent patient compliance contributed significantly to the success of this case.The final result showed good alignment and occlusion,with up right canines and ideal overbite and overjet (Figs-3)., they compared favorably with many published cases treated with fixed appliances.

See the actual patient photos (Before -& after treatment)