How Can I Fix Small Teeth?

Small or short teeth are not only a common aesthetic concern for patients who want a bigger, more proportionate smile, but they can also cause a number of other functional problems within the mouth. These include difficulty when eating, teeth grinding and other jaw issues.

Although this may not always be the case and treatment may not be necessary, many people with smaller teeth may still want to make their teeth appear bigger to improve the appearance of their smile.

To find out how to fix small teeth, you can make an appointment with your dentist so they can determine the cause of your undersized teeth and discuss the best treatment options outlined below to create a more balanced smile!

Article Summary:

• Why are my teeth small?
• How small teeth can affect your oral health
• How can I make my small teeth look bigger?
  1. Dental bonding
  2. Dental crowns
  3. Dental veneers
  4. Gum reshaping

Why are my teeth small?

Microdontia is a term used to refer to teeth that have underdeveloped or look smaller

than normal. It’s not uncommon for some people to have one or several small teeth, but others may have this hereditary condition affecting a large number of their teeth.

The three main types of microdontia are:

• True generalised microdontia: All of the teeth are smaller than normal, which usually occurs as a result of a condition like pituitary dwarfism.
• Relative generalised microdontia: The actual teeth are a normal proportion, but look small due to a large jaw or the gums covering too much of the tooth.
• Localised microdontia: The most common form of microdontia usually only affects one or a couple of teeth (usually the upper teeth), which are small in terms of the crown or root of the tooth.

Small teeth can also sometimes be a result of a genetic disorder or a developmental condition such as a cleft palate.

Short teeth can also occur from tooth wear due to dental erosion or excessive teeth grinding (bruxism), which means it can become more common as we get older. If you suffer from teeth grinding or clenching, especially at night time, your dentist can discuss your treatment options to help relieve the symptoms and prevent further damage to the teeth.

How small teeth can affect your oral health

Aside from small teeth being an aesthetic concern for many people, they can also increase the risks of oral health and orthodontic problems if the teeth don’t align properly or they have large gaps in between.

This can cause the teeth to wear down faster, or increase the chances of food and bacteria getting stuck in between which then causes tooth decay and more pain, treatment and costs down the track.

How can I make my small teeth look bigger?

If you want your teeth to look bigger or the size of your teeth is causing other dental issues, your dentist can suggest solutions during your regular check-up or when you book a cosmetic consultation at the dental practice.

Depending on the cause of the small teeth, there are multiple dental treatment options to make the teeth larger, with the best option also depending on how much size needs to be added, your budget and your preferences, which your dentist can discuss with you to make the best decision for your unique needs.

These treatment options include:

• Composite bonding
• Dental crowns
• Porcelain veneers
• Gum reshaping

Composite Bonding

Composite bonding can be used to make your teeth bigger by using tooth-coloured resin (which is also used for fillings) to reshape the tooth. This is a fast, cost-effective option if only minimal work is required, in comparison with porcelain veneers or crowns.

Composite bonding requires minimal preparation, whereby your dentist will simply etch the front of the tooth and apply a liquid to ensure the composite sticks to the front of the tooth. A colour chart is used to pick a shade of resin that will perfectly match your existing tooth colour in order to create a natural result. Resin can’t be whitened, so if you want whiter teeth, you should do a session of in-chair teeth whitening or get a take-home whitening kit from your dentist prior to your composite bonding treatment, and they will then choose a brighter shade of resin to match your whiter smile.

The composite resin is built up in layers, which are shaped by hand and then set into place with a UV light. After the resin becomes hard, your dentist will then polish it to finish creating the perfect shape of your new tooth.

This process is fairly quick, which means that several teeth can be bonded in one appointment. But, since the composite is not as strong as porcelain, it’s more prone to staining and not lasting as long as veneers or crowns, so is recommended to be used only for a few teeth rather than the whole mouth.

To keep your composite bonding in its best condition, you’ll need to avoid chewing hard foods like carrots or ice that could chip the resin, and cut down on tooth staining foods and drinks such as red wine and coffee.

Dental Crowns

If you require more teeth to be treated or a stronger solution, porcelain crowns may be a better option. Dental crowns are ceramic caps that are custom-created to fit over the existing tooth and match the colour. Crowns can last for many years when you maintain good oral hygiene, although one thing to be aware of is that crowns can be expensive when treating many teeth and the teeth require more preparation than composite bonding.

This often takes multiple appointments, with the tooth being prepared and impressions taken at the first visit, which are then used to create the crown in a dental lab before it is sent back to your dentist to be fitted and any final adjustments made so it perfectly fits in the mouth. They will ensure your bite is comfortable and even before setting the crown into its final position so you can eat as normal and won’t experience any discomfort in the jaw. Some dental practices have the technology to create the crown in the clinic, which means that the treatment may be performed in one visit instead.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are similar to crowns except instead of fitting over the whole tooth, they are a thin piece of ceramic material, almost like a fingernail, placed on the front of the tooth.

They are an effective way of changing the shape of the teeth, closing gaps, and creating a whiter, straighter smile.

Porcelain veneers sometimes require more preparation of the tooth surface in comparison to composite bonding, where a thin layer of enamel may need to be removed and the surface etched to ensure the veneers can fit and adhere properly.

Another downside of veneers is that they are more expensive than composite bonding, and usually can’t be claimed on private health insurance. Sometimes the tooth preparation can cause some sensitivity to hot and cold foods straight after the treatment, and if the veneers are cracked or chipped, they will need to be replaced.

Gum reshaping

Sometimes, the problem isn’t actually the tooth being too small, but the gum covering too much of the tooth which causes a “gummy smile”. Your dentist may then suggest a gum lift, also known as gum contouring or gum reshaping, where they can remove the excess gum tissue using a laser so that more of the tooth below is visible, creating a more proportionate smile.

Your dentist can complete this treatment with very little pain, although your gums may be slightly sensitive for a few days afterwards. This treatment may also be done in conjunction with one of the previously mentioned treatments if there are several causes of small teeth.

Cosmetic Dentist Gold Coast

To find out which treatment is most appropriate for your unique needs, it’s best to make an appointment with our Gold Coast dentists so we can examine your teeth and create a customised treatment plan together for the best outcome for your oral health!

• Broadbeach Dental Practice: 07 5526 8722
• Palm Beach Dental Practice: 07 5525 6610
• Chirn Park Dental Practice: 07 5627 1127