How Do You Fix Short Teeth?
If you have small or short teeth, it could affect how you bite, leading to eating difficulties or teeth grinding or jaw problems. While short teeth do not always cause physical problems, and do not always need to be treated, a disproportionate smile may cause you to feel unhappy.
If you want to know how to fix your short teeth, schedule a visit with your dentist so you can discuss what treatments may be an option to improve your smile.
Why Do You Have Small or Short Teeth?
Teeth that develop small or appear smaller than average are called microdontia, the opposite being macrodontia for teeth that appear larger. Many people have one or two small teeth, but for some, this issue can affect all their teeth.
There are three main categories of microdontia:
* True generalized – all your teeth are smaller than average. This is usually caused by a genetic condition such as pituitary dwarfism.
* Relative generalized – your teeth may be normal in size but appear small because of a large jaw or your gums extending too far over your teeth.
* Localized – only one or a few teeth are affected. This is the most common microdontia and usually affects the upper teeth.
Microdontia is hereditary. However, it can sometimes be the result of a genetic disorder, a development issue such as a cleft palate or the side-effect of radiation exposure.
Short teeth can also be from teeth wearing down due to damage or excessive teeth grinding, making macrodontia more common with aging. If you clench or grind your teeth at night, your dentist will recommend treatment to manage this condition to avoid further damage.
Treatments to Fix Short Teeth
Short teeth are usually an aesthetic concern, but they can also increase your oral health risks if your teeth do not fit together normally. This can increase wear on the teeth or make bacteria more likely to get trapped, leading to tooth decay.
There are several treatments that can increase the size of teeth. These treatments could include:
* Dental bonding- Composite bonding is the application of a tooth-colored resin to increase the size of teeth. This is an option if your teeth only need minor work, and you do not want more complex treatments such as crowns.
* Dental crowns- For a stronger, longer-lasting solution, your dentist might recommend porcelain crowns. A crown is a cap that is custom made to make sure it fits perfectly. Placing a crown will take several visits, as the tooth needs to be prepared and an impression taken, then the crown is custom fabricated in a laboratory before final fitting. Crowns will be matched to your tooth shade for a natural appearance. Your dentist will check that your new biting surface is even before bonding them into place.
* Dental veneers- Porcelain or composite veneers are cosmetic treatments that are applied to the front surface of one or several teeth to change the appearance of your smile. It will increase the visible size of your teeth and also whiten or straighten your smile. Veneers can be a convenient option for improving your smile, but as a cosmetic treatment, they do not offer the functional benefits of crowns or bonding.
* Gum reshaping- If the issue is not with your teeth, but rather with proportionally larger gums, your dentist may recommend a gum lift. Also called gum contouring or reshaping, this treatment involves removing the excess gum tissue with a scalpel or laser to expose more of the teeth. The gum line is reshaped to produce proportioned and balanced smile.