Assessing the Prevalence of Maxillary Midline Diastema in Dental College Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63682/jns.v13i1.9548Keywords:
Maxillary Midline Diastema, Prevalence, Dental Students, Labial Frenum, Etiology, Cross-Sectional StudyAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, size distribution, and associated etiological factors of maxillary midline diastema (MMD) among dental college students in Bangladesh.
Methods: A multicentre, cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2021 to December 2023, involving 1,407 undergraduate dental students from three institutions. Participants were selected via multistage sampling. Data were collected through clinical examinations performed by calibrated examiners and a structured questionnaire. MMD was defined as a space ≥ 0.5 mm between the maxillary central incisors. Results: The overall prevalence of MMD was 22.2% (n=312). Among those with a diastema, the most common size was 1–2 mm (45.5%), followed by <1 mm (40.1%), and >2 mm (14.4%). No statistically significant associations were found between the presence of MMD and gender (p=0.71) or age (p=0.95). The most prevalent etiological factor was labial frenum abnormality (35.9%), followed by tongue thrusting (29.5%) and tooth size-jaw size discrepancies (24.0%). Other contributing factors included lip biting (20.2%) and thumb sucking (18.6%). Notably, 30.4% of affected students had no identifiable oral habit.
Conclusion: The study reveals a high prevalence of maxillary midline diastema in this young adult population, affirming its status as a common clinical finding. The etiology is predominantly multifactorial, with labial frenum abnormality being the most significant associated factor. The persistence of MMD into early adulthood, particularly among future dental professionals, underscores its relevance as a condition of aesthetic and functional concern. These findings highlight the need for a comprehensive diagnostic approach and effective management strategies in clinical practice and dental education
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