Maxillary Midline Diastemas in West African Smiles
The maxillary midline diastema (MMD) has experienced a renaissance in popular culture over the last 10 years. Current literature states that MMDs should be eliminated where possible or be reduced to 1 mm or less in width. This literature review explores the evidence for this in a West African popula...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-04-01
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| Series: | International Dental Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653922001642 |
| _version_ | 1811155546546372608 |
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| author | Sefaakor Ahiaku, BDS (Hons), MFDS RCPSGlasg Brian J. Millar, BDS, FDSRCS, PhD, FHEA |
| author_facet | Sefaakor Ahiaku, BDS (Hons), MFDS RCPSGlasg Brian J. Millar, BDS, FDSRCS, PhD, FHEA |
| author_sort | Sefaakor Ahiaku, BDS (Hons), MFDS RCPSGlasg |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The maxillary midline diastema (MMD) has experienced a renaissance in popular culture over the last 10 years. Current literature states that MMDs should be eliminated where possible or be reduced to 1 mm or less in width. This literature review explores the evidence for this in a West African population. A systematic search of the literature (Medline and Google Scholar) followed by a hand search was carried out to identify all papers evaluating perceptions of MMDs. In all, 209 papers were identified in the literature search, 8 of which met the inclusion criteria. The review revealed that midline diastemas are desirable in this specific population with a width of 2 to 4 mm deemed as attractive. As many as 95% of participants found the MMD beautiful, and as many as 95% would consider having one created artificially. The literature does not support the position that MMDs larger than 1 mm should always be treated to be perceived as attractive in this population. MMDs are accepted as attractive and should be considered a key feature in smile design for this population. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:35:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4d5be2b6cbda415293f558c155d365f9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0020-6539 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:35:01Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Dental Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-4d5be2b6cbda415293f558c155d365f92023-03-10T04:33:59ZengElsevierInternational Dental Journal0020-65392023-04-01732167177Maxillary Midline Diastemas in West African SmilesSefaakor Ahiaku, BDS (Hons), MFDS RCPSGlasg0Brian J. Millar, BDS, FDSRCS, PhD, FHEA1Corresponding author. Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kigdom.; Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, United KigdomFaculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, United KigdomThe maxillary midline diastema (MMD) has experienced a renaissance in popular culture over the last 10 years. Current literature states that MMDs should be eliminated where possible or be reduced to 1 mm or less in width. This literature review explores the evidence for this in a West African population. A systematic search of the literature (Medline and Google Scholar) followed by a hand search was carried out to identify all papers evaluating perceptions of MMDs. In all, 209 papers were identified in the literature search, 8 of which met the inclusion criteria. The review revealed that midline diastemas are desirable in this specific population with a width of 2 to 4 mm deemed as attractive. As many as 95% of participants found the MMD beautiful, and as many as 95% would consider having one created artificially. The literature does not support the position that MMDs larger than 1 mm should always be treated to be perceived as attractive in this population. MMDs are accepted as attractive and should be considered a key feature in smile design for this population.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653922001642PerceptionsMaxillary midline diastemaWest AfricaGap toothAttractivenessDesirability |
| spellingShingle | Sefaakor Ahiaku, BDS (Hons), MFDS RCPSGlasg Brian J. Millar, BDS, FDSRCS, PhD, FHEA Maxillary Midline Diastemas in West African Smiles International Dental Journal Perceptions Maxillary midline diastema West Africa Gap tooth Attractiveness Desirability |
| title | Maxillary Midline Diastemas in West African Smiles |
| title_full | Maxillary Midline Diastemas in West African Smiles |
| title_fullStr | Maxillary Midline Diastemas in West African Smiles |
| title_full_unstemmed | Maxillary Midline Diastemas in West African Smiles |
| title_short | Maxillary Midline Diastemas in West African Smiles |
| title_sort | maxillary midline diastemas in west african smiles |
| topic | Perceptions Maxillary midline diastema West Africa Gap tooth Attractiveness Desirability |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653922001642 |
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