Diastema (dentistry) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia Jump to: navigation, search Large diastemata between incisors,

canines, and molars of a normal horse Diastema (plural diastemata) is a space or gap between two teeth. Many species of mammals have diastemata as a normal feature, most commonly between the incisors and molars.[1]Contents [hide] 1 In humans 1.1 Dental Corrections 2 Other animals 3 See also 4 References [edit] In humans Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State, has a prominent diastema In humans, the term is most commonly applied to an open space between the upper incisors (front teeth). It happens when there is an unequal relationship between the size of the teeth and the jaw. Diastema is sometimes caused or exacerbated by the action of a labial frenulum (the tissue connecting the lip to the gum) causing high mucosal attachment and less attached keratinized tissue which is more prone to recession or by tongue thrusting, which can push the teeth apart. In the Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer wrote of the "gap-toothed wife of Bath".[2] As early as this time period, the gap between the front teeth, especially in women, had been associated with lustful characteristics. Thus, the implication in describing "the gap-toothed wife of Bath" is that she is a middleaged woman with insatiable lust. This has no scientific basis, but it has been a popular assumption in folklore since the Middle Ages.[citation needed] In Ghana, Namibia, and Nigeria, diastema is regarded as being attractive and a sign of fertility, and some people have even had them created through cosmetic dentistry.[3] In France, they are called "dents du bonheur" ("lucky teeth").[4] Les Blank's Gap-Toothed Women is a documentary film about diastematic women. Dental Corrections Diastema is an adjustable dental condition. This includes traditional braces, Invisalign, or direct dental bonding to make the teeth wider and thus fill up the space. One problem with orthodontic correction is

relapse: There is a strong propensity for the gap to reappear after treatment.[citation needed] This can be addressed by bonding a permanent retainer to the inside surfaces of the teeth. Some internet sources sell elastics that are designed to pull the front teeth together and close a diastema. However, orthodontists and cosmetic dentists warn that these techniques tip the teeth rather than move them sideways as they should be moved. In some cases, people using this technique have caused their front teeth to come loose.[5] [edit] Other animals Most species of herbivorous mammals have a diastema between the front teeth (incisors and canines), if present, and the cheek teeth (molars and premolars). This is the case, for example, for rodents and lagomorphs, as well as for most ungulates. Many myrmecophagous mammals, such as the aardwolf, anteaters, and pangolin have either no teeth, or, in cases like the aardwolf, have large diastemas between their sparse teeth. Celebrating the Space Between the Two Top Front Teeth

Tim Page-Founder of Lucky Gap Dear Reader,

Welcome to the website for all you very lucky people who have a gap or space between your two top front teeth (technically known as a midline diastema) and just love it. Some say that is a condition that requires dental surgery and there are a lot of websites that quote boring medical studies or offer to fix the problem, some even quote it as an unsightly appearance, but none that I can find that give any reasons why you shouldn't just leave it alone and be happy as you are. The aim of this website is to do just that and also to prove that many of the rumours about this trait are true. Please read some of the guest book entries and see the gallery and blogs section. As far back as I can remember I have always had a gap and many dentists have asked me if I wanted it fixed, but I always said that I didn't and for no other reason than I liked it! Over the years I've heard different stories and tales about this trait: A gap in your teeth is the sign of Venus - the goddess of love! Ive been told. Being gap-toothed was regarded as a sign of a stronglysexed nature in the Middle Ages as told in The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale from "The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer. In some African tribes having a gap in your front teeth was a sign of wisdom and in France they call it "les dents du bonheur" (teeth of happiness)! There was even a film made by

Les Blank in 1987 called Gap-Toothed Women, which explores different connotations of gap-teeth such as a beauty mark or as a sign of an amorous nature. I've also heard that it's a sign of wealth, now, I don't know about that one! but, perhaps if we could ask some well known and not so well known gap-toothed celebrities they would agree. Click on the Celebrities link above right for names, pictures and biographies for all of them. Most celebrites are keen to show off their gaps although some are not and unfortunately there are a few celebs without picturs. I have also included my own "Gap Rating" system, where 1/10 = a tiny diastema, 3/10 - 6/10 = the average gap and 10/10 = the gap of a full tooth and more, fantastic! There was an article Glamour Magazine's October 2005 issue titled: What's Gorgeous Now: Imperfect Looks by Stephanie Huszar and it reads: In the age of plastic surgery and airbrushed everything, flawless features just make you look more like everyone else. Quit fantasizing about fixing your quirks, because what makes you different is what makes you beautiful. All I know is that I would never part with my gap! Enjoy the site, all the best, Tim Page, Founder, Luckygap.co.uk