Teeth spacing: etiology and treatment.

Teeth spacing is a dental anomaly characterized by interdental spaces and lack of contact points between teeth. When spacing concerns both anterior and posterior teeth it is generalized, in contrast to localized spacing when only two or four teeth are involved. The aim of this study is to describe spacing in the deciduous and permanent dentitions, present the etiologic factors leading to this condition and indicate possible therapeutic approaches and specific treatment features depending on the cause.The causes of generalized spacing may be hereditary, acquired or even functional. The most important ones are tooth size - alveolar arch size discrepancies, large teeth, incorrect tongue position and function, and congenitally missing teeth. Localized spacing is usually due to several local factors, such as missing, supernumerary or small teeth, over-retained primary teeth, sucking habits, periodontal disease and hypertrophic upper lip frenum.Orthodontics plays an important role in the management of tooth spacing, often in cooperation with other dental specialties, such as periodontology, esthetic dentistry, prosthodontics or even maxillofacial surgery. The most appropriate time for treating this condition is usually the permanent dentition period. Treatment is individualized and directly related to etiology; it is performed mainly for esthetic and psychological purposes.