While reminiscing over old photos with friends, you might have noticed a discrepancy: your smile appears noticeably shorter than theirs. This condition is known as microdontia, where one or more teeth are smaller than the average size. Small teeth can be hereditary, a symptom of a genetic disorder, a result of developmental issues like cleft palate, or a consequence of radiation exposure. Additionally, excessive wear due to teeth grinding or damage can also lead to short teeth. The good news is that your dentist can address this issue. Continue reading to explore common causes of microdontia and discover how to enhance the appearance of your teeth to make them look bigger.
3 Possible Causes of Microdontia
Now that you grasp the concept of microdontia, let’s explore its different forms. There are three main categories of microdontia:
- True generalized – Microdontia can be caused by pituitary dwarfism, also known as growth hormone deficiency. In this condition, the pituitary gland fails to produce sufficient growth hormone, resulting in all the teeth being smaller than average.
- Localized – Localized microdontia refers to a situation where only one or a few of the teeth are smaller than average. It can impact either the root or crown of the tooth and typically affects the upper teeth. This form of microdontia is also the most common.
- Relative generalized – In this form of microdontia, the teeth may actually be of average size, but they appear small due to either excessive gum tissue covering the teeth or a larger-than-average jaw structure.
3 Ways to Fix Microdontia
Your dentist can employ several procedures to enhance the appearance of your teeth, making them look bigger. Some of these procedures include:
- Dental crowns – Tooth-colored caps, also known as dental crowns, encase the entire visible part of a tooth, called the crown. They can be crafted from various materials such as porcelain, resin, metal, or ceramic. While commonly used to repair damaged teeth, dental crowns can also be used to make teeth appear larger.
- Cosmetic dental bonding – A color-matched composite resin is utilized to conceal imperfections and can be applied to slightly reshape the teeth, giving them a longer appearance.
- Porcelain veneers – Custom-made thin porcelain shells, known as veneers, completely cover the front of your teeth. To ensure proper adhesion and seamless blending with your smile, a small amount of enamel is removed by your dentist. Veneers can effectively change the size and shape of your teeth, creating the appearance of larger teeth.
If your small teeth are affecting your confidence in your smile, don’t hesitate to discuss one of the aforementioned options with your dentist to correct the issue. Soon, you’ll enjoy a uniform, proportionate smile that you’ll be eager to showcase to the world!
About the Practice
While small teeth may not pose a threat to your oral health, you can still enhance your smile with the exceptional services offered by the skilled Grand Island team at Lifetime Dental of Agawam. Veneers, dental bonding, and crowns are excellent options to correct this issue, leaving your smile looking beautiful and full in no time. If you want to schedule an appointment with Lifetime Dental of Agawam or to learn more about their cosmetic and restorative services to correct microdontia, visit their website or call their office at (413) 786-4400.