I Hate My Small Teeth? The 61 Top Answers

Coast Dental Blog

How cosmetic dentistry and crowns make short teeth look longer

You may be surprised if your dentist refers you to a periodontist (gum specialist) before you have veneers, crowns, bridges, or any other type of restorative treatment. The reason is simple: general dentists need healthy gum tissue and healthy tooth structure before a tooth can be restored.

Surgical crown lengthening is a procedure in which gum tissue and/or bone is reshaped to allow for the restoration of a tooth. You may need this if you have broken a tooth, have developed cavities under the gum tissue, have deep fillings under the gum tissue, or have teeth that are worn down and very short. In these cases, your dentist may need more tooth to cement the crown and seal the tooth to the crown to keep bacteria from getting under the crown.

A general dentist also needs to have the crown line (where your tooth meets the crown) at or just below the gum line. If the crown edge goes below the gumline, the junction between the crown and the tooth can collect bacteria and you can suffer from inflammation that makes the gums red, swollen and painful. This infection can be difficult to treat; Routine cleaning will not eliminate the problem, and you will likely need a deep cleaning, topical antibiotics, laser therapy, or surgery to resolve the problem. The general dentist has the periodontist reset the gum tissue toward the root of the tooth, creating a space that allows for proper hygiene to keep the gum tissue healthy and pink.

What to expect

Crown lengthening is a simple treatment that is performed under local anesthesia. After the area is numb, the gums are detached from the tooth and the tissues are remodeled to create more tooth structure that the general dentist can use to allow for a better seal and move the edge of the crown away from the bone. Usually, the periodontist places two sutures that will come out on their own. The periodontist will schedule you for two post-operative visits to confirm that your mouth is healing and ready for restorative treatment. Healing can take as little as eight weeks for a simple case or six months for complex cases involving multiple teeth.

seeing is believing

Below is an example of a crown lengthening performed on a tooth in the upper left that originally had poor crown margins and the gums were red, swollen and unhealthy. Crown lengthening restored the tooth to the same size as the natural tooth, removed the swollen red tissue, and gave the dentist enough tooth to give the patient a great, cosmetic crown.

Here is an example of a patient who required crowns on several upper left teeth that were short and had large fillings. The crown lengthening surgery made the teeth appear longer and the dentist was able to adequately prepare the teeth for the crowns. The larger teeth allowed the crowns to hold more tooth structure and created a longer seal, reducing bacterial leakage.

Michael Quinn, DMD, MHS, has been a practicing dentist since 1987. He is a board certified periodontist and provides periodontal services to patients ages 8 and up. Special services include all periodontal services, bone grafting, crown lengthening, dental implants and restorations, endodontic surgery, extractions, gum smile treatment, laser treatment, periodontal disease treatment, preprosthetic surgery, ridge augmentation, soft tissue grafts and sinus lift. He practices in several Coast Dental offices in Georgia, including Atlanta, Marietta, Fayetteville, Lawrenceville and Stone Mountain.

Written by: Michael Quinn, DMD, MHS and Beth Gaddis

Reviewed by: Cindy Roark, DMD

What is microdontia? Just like everything else on the human body, teeth can come in all shapes and sizes. You may have larger than average teeth, a condition known as macrodontia, or you may have smaller than average teeth. The medical term for atypically small teeth—or teeth that appear unusually small—is microdontia. Some people will use the term “short teeth” to describe this phenomenon. Microdontia of one or two teeth is common, but microdontia of all teeth is rare. It can occur without other symptoms but is sometimes associated with genetic conditions.

Types of Microdontia There are several types of microdontia: True generalized True generalized microdontia is the rarest type of microdontia. It typically affects people with a condition such as pituitary dwarfism and results in a set of evenly smaller teeth. Relatively generalized Someone with relatively large jaws or a prominent jaw may be diagnosed with relatively generalized microdontia. The key here is “relative,” since the size of the large jaw makes the teeth appear smaller when they aren’t. Localized (Focal) Localized microdontia describes a single tooth that is smaller than usual or smaller compared to neighboring teeth. There are also several subtypes of this type of microdontia: Microdontia of the tooth root

microdontia of the crown

Whole tooth microdontia The localized version is the most common form of microdontia. Typically, it affects teeth on the upper jaw or on the maxillary bone. The upper lateral incisor is the tooth most commonly affected. Your upper side incisors are the teeth right next to your top two front teeth. The shape of the upper lateral incisor can be normal or tenon shaped, but the tooth itself is smaller than expected. It is also possible to have a smaller lateral incisor on one side and a missing permanent adult lateral incisor on the other side that never developed. You may be left with a primary lateral baby in its place or with no tooth at all. The third molar, or wisdom tooth, is another type of tooth that is sometimes affected, and it can appear much smaller than the other molars.

Causes of Small Teeth Most people only have a single instance of microdontia. But in other rare cases, a genetic syndrome is the underlying cause. Microdontia usually results from both hereditary and environmental factors. Conditions associated with microdontia include: Pituitary dwarfism. One of numerous types of dwarfism, pituitary dwarfism can result in what experts call true generalized microdontia, since all of the teeth appear to be uniformly smaller than average.

One of numerous types of dwarfism, pituitary dwarfism can result in what experts call true generalized microdontia, since all of the teeth appear to be uniformly smaller than average. chemotherapy or radiation. Chemotherapy or radiation in infancy or early childhood before the age of 6 can affect the development of the teeth and lead to microdontia.

Chemotherapy or radiation in infancy or early childhood before the age of 6 can affect the development of the teeth and lead to microdontia. Cleft lip and palate. Babies can be born with cleft lip or palate if their lips or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy. A baby may have a cleft lip and palate or both. Tooth anomalies are more common in the cleft area, and microdontia may be seen on the cleft side.

Babies can be born with cleft lip or palate if their lips or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy. A baby may have a cleft lip and palate or both. Tooth anomalies are more common in the cleft area, and microdontia may be seen on the cleft side. Congenital deafness with labyrinthine aplasia, microtia and microdontia (LAMM) syndrome. Congenital deafness with LAMM affects the development of teeth and ears. People born with this condition may have very small, underdeveloped outer and inner ear structures, and very small, widely spaced teeth.

(Congenital deafness with LAMM affects the development of the teeth and ears. People born with this condition may have very small, underdeveloped outer and inner ear structures and very small, widely spaced teeth. Down Syndrome. Research suggests that that dental abnormalities are common in children with Down syndrome Cone-shaped teeth are commonly seen in Down syndrome.

that dental abnormalities are common in children with Down syndrome. Cone-shaped teeth are commonly seen in Down syndrome. Ectodermal dysplasia. Ectodermal dysplasias are a group of genetic disorders that affect the formation of skin, hair and nails and can also result in smaller teeth. Teeth are generally conical in shape and many may be absent.

Ectodermal dysplasias are a group of genetic disorders that affect the formation of skin, hair and nails and can also lead to smaller teeth. Teeth are generally conical in shape and many may be absent. Fanconi anemia. People with Fanconi anemia have bone marrow that doesn’t produce enough blood cells, leading to fatigue. They may also have physical abnormalities such as short stature, eye and ear abnormalities, deformed thumbs, and genital malformations.

People with Fanconi anemia have bone marrow that doesn’t produce enough blood cells, leading to fatigue. They may also have physical abnormalities such as short stature, eye and ear abnormalities, deformed thumbs, and genital malformations. Gorlin-Chaudhry-Moss Syndrome. Gorlin-Chaudhry-Moss Syndrome is a very rare condition characterized by premature closure of the cranial bones. This leads to head and facial abnormalities, including a flat appearance of the central part of the face and small eyes. People with this syndrome often also suffer from hypodontia, or missing teeth.

Gorlin-Chaudhry-Moss Syndrome is a very rare condition characterized by premature closure of the cranial bones. This leads to head and facial abnormalities, including a flat appearance of the central part of the face and small eyes. People with this syndrome often also suffer from hypodontia, or missing teeth. Williams Syndrome. Williams Syndrome is a rare genetic condition that can affect the development of facial features. This can result in characteristics such as widely spaced teeth and a wide mouth. The condition can also cause other physical abnormalities, such as heart and blood vessel problems, and learning disabilities.

Williams Syndrome is a rare genetic condition that can affect the development of facial features. This can result in characteristics such as widely spaced teeth and a wide mouth. The condition can also cause other physical abnormalities, such as heart and blood vessel problems, and learning disabilities. Turner Syndrome. Turner syndrome, also known as Ullrich-Turner syndrome, is a chromosomal disorder that affects women. Common features include short stature, webbed necks, heart defects, and early ovarian failure. The tooth width can also be reduced.

Turner syndrome, also known as Ullrich-Turner syndrome, is a chromosomal disorder that affects women. Common features include short stature, webbed necks, heart defects, and early ovarian failure. The tooth width can also be reduced. Rieger syndrome. Rieger syndrome is a rare genetic condition that causes ocular abnormalities, underdeveloped or missing teeth, and other craniofacial deformities.

Rieger syndrome is a rare genetic condition that causes ocular abnormalities, underdeveloped or missing teeth, and other craniofacial deformities. Hallermann-Streiff Syndrome. Hallermann-Streiff syndrome, also known as oculomandibulofacial syndrome, causes malformations of the skull and face. Among other things, a person with this syndrome may have a short, broad head with an underdeveloped lower jaw.

Hallermann-Streiff syndrome, also known as oculomandibulofacial syndrome, causes malformations of the skull and face. Among other things, a person with this syndrome may have a short, broad head with an underdeveloped lower jaw. Rothmund-Thomson Syndrome. Rothmund-Thomson syndrome presents as redness on a baby’s face and then spreads. It can lead to slow growth, thinning skin, and sparse hair and eyelashes. Skeletal abnormalities and abnormalities of the teeth and nails can also occur.

Rothmund-Thomson syndrome presents as redness on a baby’s face and then spreads. It can lead to slow growth, thinning skin, and sparse hair and eyelashes. Skeletal abnormalities and abnormalities of the teeth and nails can also occur. Oral-Facial-Digital Syndrome. The subtype of this genetic disorder known as type 3 or Sugarman syndrome can cause deformities in the mouth, including the teeth. Microdontia can also occur with other syndromes and usually occurs with hypodontia, which is fewer teeth than normal.

When to see the dentist or doctor? Teeth that are unusually small, or small teeth with large gaps between them, may not fit together properly. You or your child could be at a higher risk of your other teeth becoming more worn down, or food getting caught between the teeth easily. If you have pain in your jaw or teeth, or notice damage to your teeth, make an appointment with a dentist who can evaluate your teeth and determine if treatment is needed. If you don’t already have a dentist, the Healthline FindCare tool can help you find one near you. Most often, localized microdontia do not require fixation.

Treating Microdontia If your concern is aesthetic — meaning you want to mask the appearance of your microdontia and flash an even smile, a dentist can offer you a few possible options: Veneers Veneers are thin coverings usually made of porcelain or a resin composite material . The dentist cements the veneer to the front of your tooth to give it a more even, flawless appearance. Crowns Crowns are a step up from veneers. Rather than a thin shell, a crown is more of a cap for your tooth, covering your entire tooth—front and back. Sometimes dentists need to shave the tooth to prepare it for the crown, but depending on the size of your tooth, this may not be necessary. Composites This process is sometimes referred to as dental bonding or composite bonding. The dentist roughens the surface of the affected tooth and then applies a composite resin material to the tooth surface. The material cures with light. After curing, it resembles a normal sized tooth. These restorations can also protect your teeth from the wear and tear sometimes caused by unevenly seated teeth.

Testing for an Underlying Genetic Cause Many of the causes of generalized microdontia have a genetic element. In fact, research suggests that generalized microdontia of all teeth is extremely rare in people without any type of syndrome. If anyone in your family has a history of any of the above genetic disorders, or anyone has smaller teeth than usual, you should tell your child’s doctor. However, if you have one or two teeth that appear smaller than normal, the teeth may just have developed that way with no underlying syndrome. If you don’t have a family history but think some of your child’s facial features appear atypical or malformed, you can ask your child’s doctor to evaluate them. The doctor may recommend a blood test and genetic testing to determine if your child may have a condition that is causing other health problems that may need to be diagnosed and treated.

BEAUTY may be in the eye of the beholder, but when it comes to a winning smile, it’s also in the numbers – the length of your teeth, the amount of gum showing, and many other measurable factors. We checked with several local dentists — Tom Hilton and Juliana da Costa, professors at OHSU’s School of Dentistry, and Raymond Frye and Katie Ball, Bling Dental’s smile makeover specialists — to give us some insight into what a makes an ideal smile. While the answer varies by taste and trend (for example, the look of choice in Hollywood 20 years ago showed significantly more teeth than a smile), some basic principles apply. Of course, one of the most important factors for an ideal smile is a healthy foundation. (So ​​brush, floss, clean regularly.) And just as important for achieving an ideal smile? The confidence you wear it with.

1. EXPOSURE YOURSELF

An ideal smile should have 100 percent of your central and lateral upper incisors and canines visible, says Hilton. Normally you should be able to see your upper premolars and part of your first molar. Men tend to show less of their upper teeth (hence the term “stiff upper lip”). Veneers — essentially custom-made coverings that are bonded to your teeth and can be cut to any shape or size — can elongate teeth so more of them show up in your smile.

2. SYMMETRY S’IL VOUS BRAIDE

Not only should your central incisors meet in a straight line, but the teeth should also be mirror images of each other. The same applies to the lateral incisors and canines.

3. THE GOLDEN RULE

Most central incisors (your two front teeth) are between about 10.5 and 12.5 mm long and about 20 percent longer than they are wide. Another interesting tidbit: round teeth are considered more feminine, square teeth more masculine. If you are not happy with yours, veneers are a way to change the shape of your teeth.

4. LESS IS MORE

An ideal smile should not show more than 2mm of gum tissue over the teeth. More than that produces a “gummy” smile a la Jon Heder in Napoleon Dynamite. A gummy smile is sometimes caused by overactive levator labii muscles, Ball explains, which raises the curtain on your grin just a little too high. One solution: A shot of Botox ($50 a pop) can tame your powerful lip lifter.

5. A LITTLE NEGATIVITY IS A GOOD THING

You want a little negative space between the corners of your lips and your upper molars. Anatomists gave it the sexy name “buccal corridor”. Balance is everything when it comes to oral corridors: too little and you’ll end up with a huge grin, too much and your smile could end up seeming narrow. (A wider smile is considered more attractive.)

6. SHADOW OF SUCCESS

White is right. Or at least now. Today’s esthetics call for lighter colored teeth, although to be realistic the shade should fade from slightly darker along the gum line to lighter towards the edge of the tooth, says da Costa. One of the most popular whitening products are custom whitening trays that are perfectly tailored to you. how white Da Costa gives this advice: “Teeth should not be whiter than the sclera (white part) of the eyes.”

7. EMBRACE THE SPACE

Another term to add to your smile architecture glossary: ​​“incisal embrasure,” the notch where the edge of one tooth meets the edge of the next tooth. It’s usually small where the central incisors meet, Hilton explains, then wider where the central incisors meet the lateral incisors, and wider still where the lateral incisors meet the canines. This gives your teeth a (very desirable) rounded shape. Teeth with an even or small incisor gap form more of a straight line and do not appear natural.

8. BE CURVY

In particular, the curve of your upper front teeth should be roughly parallel to the curve of your lower lip. This is called your smile arch.

Why do my teeth look so short?

Posted on March 4, 2021 Aesthetic Dentistry

Although a specific tooth size is not required for a beautiful smile, having short teeth generally does not make for the best appearance. Short teeth make someone look older than they actually are. The bottom line is that with Dr. Ann should talk about it if you think your teeth are too short. It is important to first understand the reason why they appear briefly and only then discuss treatment options.

Why do teeth look short?

There are several reasons why teeth can appear too short when smiling. The underlying cause can be the natural shape of the teeth, wear and tear over time, or too much gum covering the teeth.

Natural tooth shape and size are disproportionate

There is no one “right” tooth size. However, there is a right relationship with the teeth. Tooth size can vary depending on a person’s overall size. It makes sense that a tall, big-headed man with tiny teeth wouldn’t look appropriate, just as a petite, skinny woman with big teeth wouldn’t look appropriate.

Unfortunately, nature doesn’t always get this right, and some people have naturally disproportionate teeth. It’s possible that the size and shape of your teeth just doesn’t match the size and shape of your face and overall body. Although relatively uncommon, it is possible.

Wear, flatten, chip

Most often we see teeth that were naturally proportioned and then wear down badly over time. This leads to teeth that are flat, short and often broken off at the biting edge. We often see this flattening in patients who clench or grind their teeth during sleep. People who snore or suffer from sleep apnea are particularly susceptible to this type of damage.

Tooth enamel is the hardest structure in the human body, designed to withstand the forces of chewing throughout life. Unfortunately, when enamel rubs against enamel, the friction results in a loss of structure, either through gradual wear (known as abrasion) or through chipping. This type of damage is much worse when the enamel rubs against a foreign material like porcelain.

Excessive gums

Sometimes the teeth are perfectly proportioned and have not suffered shortening from wear, but they still look short. This can happen when the gums cover parts of the teeth that should be visible. With perfect gum anatomy, they should only cover two to three millimeters of enamel.

Some people just have too much gum, and it covers a lot more than two to three millimeters. This means that a healthy, naturally proportioned tooth will be obscured by excess gums.

(The opposite is also true. If you don’t lack enough gum tissue, your teeth can appear unnaturally long.)

How can cosmetic dentistry improve the appearance of short teeth?

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your teeth and think they are too short, your first step is to consult Dr. ann. As we have already said, before proceeding with any treatment, we must have a good understanding of the cause of the brief occurrence. This is because treatment options vary depending on the underlying problem.

Treatment options for naturally disproportionate teeth

When teeth appear short because their natural size is disproportionate to the patient’s face and overall height, cosmetic dentistry can help! It is important to work with a qualified and experienced cosmetic dentist to achieve the most natural result. dr Ann is such a dentist!

Teeth Natural Width But Short Length – These teeth appear very square as opposed to a more natural rectangle where the shape is slightly longer than wide. If your teeth are a natural width and you just need to increase the length, we can achieve this by covering the teeth with veneers. Depending on how much length we need to add, this can sometimes interfere with teeth clenching and require additional treatment of the lower or back teeth. Teeth small in all dimensions – If the teeth appear shorter and narrower than ideal, we may need to move the teeth before covering them. This way we can create space between the teeth to achieve the best proportions for the veneers that we will use to create the smile we want. In these cases, we often start with Invisalign orthodontic treatment to position the teeth before performing the covering veneers.

Treatment options for worn, flattened or chipped teeth

For this most common problem, we have a few treatment options. The aim is to rebuild or restore what has been lost. We can do this with different dental materials and Dr. Ann will help you decide which option best meets your goals.

For some people, treatment may simply be to restore lost tooth length with a perfectly matched, tooth-colored, bonded dental restoration. This helps restore the teeth to their original appearance before the damage occurred.

For others, we cover the entire visible surface of the teeth and lengthen them with porcelain veneers. Veneers often provide a more predictable and longer lasting result than bonding.

Treatment options for excessive gum tissue

If the problem is excess gum tissue, the solution is relatively simple removal of that gum tissue. With a detailed measurement in the mouth and a three-dimensional image of your teeth, Dr. Ann determine the true size of your underlying teeth. If this exam shows nicely proportioned teeth that are obscured by too many gingivectomies, she will order a gingivectomy. This procedure removes the gums (which shouldn’t be there in the first place) and exposes the teeth.

This simple procedure can really transform a smile without altering the teeth in any way.

More questions about short teeth?

Call Designer Smiles today for a cosmetic consultation with Dr. to agree. She can assess your situation and help you start improving your smile.

Why do my teeth look so short?

Posted on March 4, 2021 Aesthetic Dentistry

Although a specific tooth size is not required for a beautiful smile, having short teeth generally does not make for the best appearance. Short teeth make someone look older than they actually are. The bottom line is that with Dr. Ann should talk about it if you think your teeth are too short. It is important to first understand the reason why they appear briefly and only then discuss treatment options.

Why do teeth look short?

There are several reasons why teeth can appear too short when smiling. The underlying cause can be the natural shape of the teeth, wear and tear over time, or too much gum covering the teeth.

Natural tooth shape and size are disproportionate

There is no one “right” tooth size. However, there is a right relationship with the teeth. Tooth size can vary depending on a person’s overall size. It makes sense that a tall, big-headed man with tiny teeth wouldn’t look appropriate, just as a petite, skinny woman with big teeth wouldn’t look appropriate.

Unfortunately, nature doesn’t always get this right, and some people have naturally disproportionate teeth. It’s possible that the size and shape of your teeth just doesn’t match the size and shape of your face and overall body. Although relatively uncommon, it is possible.

Wear, flatten, chip

Most often we see teeth that were naturally proportioned and then wear down badly over time. This leads to teeth that are flat, short and often broken off at the biting edge. We often see this flattening in patients who clench or grind their teeth during sleep. People who snore or suffer from sleep apnea are particularly susceptible to this type of damage.

Tooth enamel is the hardest structure in the human body, designed to withstand the forces of chewing throughout life. Unfortunately, when enamel rubs against enamel, the friction results in a loss of structure, either through gradual wear (known as abrasion) or through chipping. This type of damage is much worse when the enamel rubs against a foreign material like porcelain.

Excessive gums

Sometimes the teeth are perfectly proportioned and have not suffered shortening from wear, but they still look short. This can happen when the gums cover parts of the teeth that should be visible. With perfect gum anatomy, they should only cover two to three millimeters of enamel.

Some people just have too much gum, and it covers a lot more than two to three millimeters. This means that a healthy, naturally proportioned tooth will be obscured by excess gums.

(The opposite is also true. If you don’t lack enough gum tissue, your teeth can appear unnaturally long.)

How can cosmetic dentistry improve the appearance of short teeth?

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your teeth and think they are too short, your first step is to consult Dr. ann. As we have already said, before proceeding with any treatment, we must have a good understanding of the cause of the brief occurrence. This is because treatment options vary depending on the underlying problem.

Treatment options for naturally disproportionate teeth

When teeth appear short because their natural size is disproportionate to the patient’s face and overall height, cosmetic dentistry can help! It is important to work with a qualified and experienced cosmetic dentist to achieve the most natural result. dr Ann is such a dentist!

Teeth Natural Width But Short Length – These teeth appear very square as opposed to a more natural rectangle where the shape is slightly longer than wide. If your teeth are a natural width and you just need to increase the length, we can achieve this by covering the teeth with veneers. Depending on how much length we need to add, this can sometimes interfere with teeth clenching and require additional treatment of the lower or back teeth. Teeth small in all dimensions – If the teeth appear shorter and narrower than ideal, we may need to move the teeth before covering them. This way we can create space between the teeth to achieve the best proportions for the veneers that we will use to create the smile we want. In these cases, we often start with Invisalign orthodontic treatment to position the teeth before performing the covering veneers.

Treatment options for worn, flattened or chipped teeth

For this most common problem, we have a few treatment options. The aim is to rebuild or restore what has been lost. We can do this with different dental materials and Dr. Ann will help you decide which option best meets your goals.

For some people, treatment may simply be to restore lost tooth length with a perfectly matched, tooth-colored, bonded dental restoration. This helps restore the teeth to their original appearance before the damage occurred.

For others, we cover the entire visible surface of the teeth and lengthen them with porcelain veneers. Veneers often provide a more predictable and longer lasting result than bonding.

Treatment options for excessive gum tissue

If the problem is excess gum tissue, the solution is relatively simple removal of that gum tissue. With a detailed measurement in the mouth and a three-dimensional image of your teeth, Dr. Ann determine the true size of your underlying teeth. If this exam shows nicely proportioned teeth that are obscured by too many gingivectomies, she will order a gingivectomy. This procedure removes the gums (which shouldn’t be there in the first place) and exposes the teeth.

This simple procedure can really transform a smile without altering the teeth in any way.

More questions about short teeth?

Call Designer Smiles today for a cosmetic consultation with Dr. to agree. She can assess your situation and help you start improving your smile.

I have peg laterals? Is it bad? What are my options?

What are peg laterals?

The term “peg lateral” refers to an anomaly affecting the upper lateral incisors, causing these teeth to be unusually small or even “pointed” compared to their usual more rectangular shape. Peg laterals can occur on just one or both sides of a patient’s mouth. When these incisors do not grow to their full size, appearance is compromised and these teeth are small and ‘peg-shaped’, hence the term peg laterals. These teeth are in a very prominent place at the front of a person’s smile. The upper or upper lateral incisors are the front teeth between the upper central incisors and the upper canines. Because these teeth are right in front, this can be a very noticeable and potentially even embarrassing condition. Luckily we have a very conservative treatment to correct this condition.

There are many good options for treating peg lanterns.

We can direct bond peg side pieces with tooth colored materials on the front and sides of the small tooth to give it a more natural look. Another alternative treatment for peg side pieces is porcelain veneers. This conservative treatment would be a more permanent and usually more aesthetic option.

Do tenon sides need to be treated?

No! Treatment of peg posterior teeth is usually considered a “cosmetic” rather than a “necessary” procedure covered by dental insurance. However, this treatment improves the appearance of those side incisors and can boost the confidence that comes from a more aesthetic smile!

Thong side restoration can make a world of difference in how a smile looks!

What Causes Peg Laterals?

There are two main causes of peg lanterns, both of which are beyond your control. These are as follows:

Genetics: This condition appears to have a genetic component. Some people with peg laterals have parents who had the same condition.

Developmental anomaly: Sometimes the teeth just don’t form properly.

Some people genetically lack the adult lateral incisors, leaving the primary or baby lateral incisors in the position of the adult lateral incisors. In a mouth full of full-size adult teeth, the baby’s lateral incisors look unusually small.

If you have any questions about your teeth, our practice will be happy to help! We are happy to offer you treatment options for your peg laterals or other cosmetic concerns.

Lateral treatment options with Peg:

(1) cosmetic bonding with tooth-colored materials

(2) Porcelain veneers

(3) Orthodontic treatment may be required to ideally position these teeth for either of the above two options. We work with many talented orthodontists who will assist us where necessary to achieve a more ideal outcome for you!

Sometimes the only treatment required is to reposition the side posts through orthodontic treatment or removable appliances. Our office will inform you about the options available and help you choose the most suitable solution for you.

Our practice is happy to inform you in as much detail as you would like about what is going on in your mouth. We are located in Grand Junction, Colorado. Our office phone number is (970) 242-3635. You can email us at [email protected]. We would be delighted if you would “like” us on our office’s Facebook page! Please find us at Julie M Gillis DDS PC.

For better dental health,

Julie Gillis DDS, AAACD

Restore teeth, restore smiles