Are Short Teeth Common?
Just like the millions of parts of your body, teeth also come in all different sizes and shapes. You might have bigger-than-average teeth, or you could have smaller-than-average teeth. The medical term for smaller than average teeth, or teeth that are unusually small, is microdontia. Some people call this phenomenon short teeth. Microdontia of just a few teeth is common, but microdontia of all the teeth is rare. It can occur without any other symptoms, but it is sometimes linked to genetics.
The Different Types of Microdontia
There are several types of microdontia:
* True generalized- True generalized is the rarest kind. It usually affects people who have a condition such as pituitary dwarfism and results in an arch of uniformly smaller teeth.
* Relative generalized- If you have relatively large jaws or a protruding jaw you might receive a diagnosis of relative generalized microdontia. The key word is relative, since the proportional size of the larger jaw makes your teeth look smaller even though they really are not.
* Localized- Localized microdontia describes a single tooth that is smaller than usual or smaller compared to your neighboring teeth. There are even subtypes of this type of microdontia as well, microdontia of the tooth’s root, microdontia of the crown, microdontia of the entire tooth.
The localized version is the most common type of microdontia. Usually, it affects teeth located on the upper jawbone. The upper lateral incisor is the tooth most often affected. Your upper lateral incisors are the teeth on each side of your top two front teeth. The shape of this lateral incisor might be normal, or it might be shaped like a peg, but the tooth itself is smaller than normal.
It is also possible to have a smaller lateral incisor on one side and a missing permanent adult incisor on the other side that just never developed. You could be left with a primary baby incisor in its place or even no tooth at all.
The third molar or the wisdom tooth is another tooth that is sometimes affected, and it might appear much smaller than your other molars.
Several Causes of Small or Short Teeth
Many people just have an isolated case of microdontia. But in some rare cases, a genetic syndrome is the true underlying cause. Microdontia is the result of both inherited and environmental factors. The common conditions associated with microdontia include:
* Pituitary dwarfism.
* Chemotherapy or radiation.
* Cleft lip and palate.
* Congenital deafness with labyrinthine aplasia, microtia, and microdontia (LAMM) syndrome.
* Down Syndrome.
* Ectodermal dysplasia.
* Fanconi anemia.
* Gorlin-Chaudhry-Moss syndrome.
* Williams syndrome.
* Turner syndrome.
* Rieger syndrome.
* Hallermann-Streiff syndrome.
* Rothmund-Thomson syndrome.
* Oral-Facial-Digital syndrome.
When You Should See Your Dentist
Teeth that are unusually small or short teeth with wide gaps between them may not fit together correctly. You or your child could be at higher risk for accelerated wear and tear on your other teeth, or food might easily get trapped between the teeth.
If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort in your jaw or with your teeth, or noticing damage with your teeth, schedule an appointment with your dentist who will exam your teeth and determine if treatment is beneficial.
If your concern is aesthetic, and you want to hide the appearance of your short teeth during a smile, a dentist can offer you these simple treatments:
* Veneers
* Dental Crowns
* Composites
These restorations might also protect your teeth from the wear and tear that unevenly fitting teeth can cause.