Maxillary midline diastema among a group of Egyptian adult populations (prevalence and etiology)

Purpose This study was performed to identify the prevalence and etiological factors of maxillary midline diastema among a sample of adult patients undergoing orthodontic treatment in orthodontic private clinics in Qaloubya, Fayoum, and Giza governorates. Patients and methods Three hundred seventy-five patients (199 females and 176 males) were included in this study. The full records (intraoral photographies and radiographs) of all patients were examined and surveyed for the presence or absence of maxillary midline diastema and the possible etiological factors. Results 17.3% of the studied patients showed maxillary midline diastema, while 82.7% of them did not show diastema. There was no significant difference between the prevalence of midline diastema in different sexes (P = 0.079). The most common etiological factors were 38.5% congenitally missed laterals, 33.8% highly attached frenum, 20.0% generalized spaces, and 26.2% had flared incisors. Conclusion Prevalence of midline diastema in the studied patients was 17.3%, while 82.7% of patients did not have diastema.