Does the maxillary midline diastema close after frenectomy?

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Oral Surgery
• Orthodontics

Background:

• Maxillary midline diastema is a common dental condition.
• Prominent frenums can contribute to diastema formation.
• Treatment outcomes for diastema closure vary.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the closure, persistence, or reopening of maxillary midline diastema.
• To compare outcomes after frenectomy with and without subsequent orthodontic treatment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 59 patients undergoing CO2 laser frenectomy.
• Data collected: age, sex, diastema dimension, canine eruption, orthodontic treatment status.
• Follow-up assessments at short, medium, and long term.

Main Results:

• Significantly more diastemas closed with combined frenectomy and orthodontic treatment (20/31) versus frenectomy alone (3/27) at medium-term follow-up.
• Only 4 patients had persistent diastemas at long-term follow-up.
• No diastemas closed after frenectomy alone in the short-term follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Frenectomy combined with orthodontic treatment significantly improves maxillary midline diastema closure.
• An interdisciplinary approach involving various dental specialists is crucial for optimal treatment outcomes.
• Early intervention and combined therapies enhance predictability of diastema closure.