Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The space between two central incisors is called diastema. It is aesthetically very unpleasant to the patients. Besides, this it may be a sign of underlying pathology. So proper research about diastema is necessary. This study has been carried out in Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College and Hospital as no such study has been conducted in Eastern India so far. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1000 samples were taken randomly (500 males and 500 females) from the OPD of Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College and Hospital to calculate prevalence of diastema, its male female variation, location and etiological distribution. Clinical and radiological examination has been done. Data were calculated and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The Prevalence of midline diastema was found to be 5.9%. Prevalence in males is 4.4% and in females is 7.4%. It is present bi-dentally in 49.15%, in maxilla 38.98% and mandible 11.86%. The various etiologies are habits (28.81%), dentoalveolar disproportion (23.72%), high frenal attachments (18.64%), missing laterals (11.86%), microdontia (11.86%), supernumerary tooth (5.08%), etc. There was no statistically significant gender variation among etiologies. CONCLUSIONS: Females are having more diastema than males. It is more common in bi dentally. Habit is the most common causes of midline diastema.