Ocurrence of Midline Diastema Among Children of Different Age, Sex and Race

by Open Science Repository Dentistry
(August 2013)

Abstract

Midline diastema is a space between maxillary central incisors. The incidence of midline diastema varies greatly with age group, gender, population and race.

Aim: To find the occurrence of midline diastema among children of different racial group, visiting outpatient department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, BPKIHS Dharan, Nepal.

Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was done among 900 children of age (1-14years) visiting outpatient department of pedodontics and preventive dentistry, BPKIHS, Dharan, Nepal. Measurement of both maxillary and mandibular midline diastema was made between the midpoints of the mesial surfaces of both central incisors using varnier calliper. Only the diastema greater than 0.5mm was determined and recorded according to age, race and sex.

Results: Maxillary midline diastema was seen among 26.6% of children, mandibular diastema among 1% of children, and 1.6% have midline diastema seen together both in maxilla and mandible. 16.6% of male, 10.0% of female had maxillary midline diastema, 0.7% of male and 0.3% of female had mandibular midline diastema and 0.7% of male and 0.9% of female had midline diastema seen together both in maxilla and mandible. Racial significance was seen only at age 6 and 12 years, where Aryan children were more prevalent to midline diastema than Mongoloid children. Children at age 10, 8 and 9 years have more midline diastema with statistical significance of p<0.000. Midline diastema was more prevalent among 6-12years children in both maxilla and mandible among both racial groups.

Conclusion: Midline diastema was more prevalent in mixed dentition period between age 6-12 years. Males were more prevalent for midline diastema than female among Nepalese children.

Keywords: midline diastema, Nepalese children.

Full text

Ocurrence of Midline Diastema Among Children of Different Age, Sex and Race