Maxillary diastema: indications for treatment.

1. In comparing characteristics associated with the presence or absence of diastema at the age of 16 years, generalized spacing was the only significant factor. 2. In the 230 children who had a diastema of 0.5 mm. or greater at age 9, there was a significant association between the diastema and the amounts of crowding or spacing at age 16. 3. A clinician must analyze the individual case in order to determine whether the diastema is to close through normal development or if there exists a likelihood of its persistence.