What would be the best course of action for a large diastema between teeth #11 and #12?

In the case of a large diastema between teeth #11 (usually the right central incisor) and #12 (typically the left central incisor), the best course of action may be to do nothing if there are no functional or esthetic concerns from the patient’s perspective. This is often the preferred approach, especially if the diastema does not negatively impact the patient's oral health or aesthetics, and if it has been present for a long time without any associated issues.

In many scenarios, diastemas can be completely normal and may even be an aesthetic feature rather than a dental problem. If the teeth are healthy and properly aligned, and if the patient is comfortable with the spacing, intervention may not be necessary.

In contrast, other options like placing an implant, using a removable partial denture, or constructing a fixed partial denture (bridge) are more invasive and generally reserved for situations where there are missing teeth or structural concerns that require restoration. Each of these alternatives involves altering existing dental structures or introducing new materials which may not be warranted in cases where the diastema lacks clinical significance.

Therefore, if the diastema does not pose any concerns or problems, the recommendation to do nothing serves to avoid unnecessary procedures, focusing