Short or small teeth are not always a problem. If they work well and you like how they look, you can leave them alone.
But maybe they bother you. Maybe they change how your smile looks, or how your teeth feel when you bite and chew. You do not have to keep hiding them.
A gummy smile or undersized teeth can make anyone self-conscious. Your cosmetic dentist can help. A few popular elective procedures can bring back your confidence.
Why Your Teeth Might Look Short or Small
Teeth can look short or small for a few reasons. Genetics is the first one. If short teeth run in your family, you may have inherited the trait.
A gummy smile can also make teeth look shorter than they are. Extra gum tissue covers more of each tooth. That throws off the balance between your teeth and gums.
Teeth can also wear down over the years. Damage like a chip or a break makes them look short, too. Whatever the cause, you have good options to restore your smile.
How can I correct short or small teeth?
Your dentist cannot make your teeth physically grow. Still, several proven treatments can make them look longer, larger, and more even. Here are three common approaches.
Veneers
Veneers are thin porcelain shells that bond to the front of your teeth. One treatment can hide several flaws at once. Think discoloration, chips, and smaller-than-average teeth.
Veneers also make your smile brighter, more even, and often longer. Your dentist bonds them to the front four to eight teeth. This minimally invasive option improves their color, size, and shape.
Some patients have excess gum tissue. In that case, a crown lengthening treatment comes first. It reveals more of the tooth and creates a larger bonding area. You can see natural-looking results after as few as two appointments.
Good care keeps veneers strong. Brush twice a day, floss, and keep your semi-annual exams. With that care, veneers can last a decade or longer. Keep in mind that they are a lifelong commitment and will eventually need replacement.
Cosmetic Bonding
Cosmetic bonding also goes by direct bonding. It uses the same tooth-colored composite resin your dentist uses for fillings. Bonding corrects minor cosmetic issues.
Your dentist shades the resin to match your enamel. Then they apply and sculpt it onto the tooth. Bonding rebuilds worn or chipped teeth, closes small gaps, and makes teeth look longer and more even.
The resin blends in so well that no one will notice it. Bonding is painless and durable, and it costs less than veneers. In many cases your dentist finishes it in a single appointment.
Gum Recontouring and Crown Lengthening
Sometimes a gummy smile makes your teeth look short. Your dentist can reshape your gum line with a soft-tissue diode laser. The focused beam removes excess tissue with pinpoint accuracy, and it needs no scalpels or sutures.
Your dentist sculpts the gums to reveal more of each tooth. Your smile then looks longer and more even, even though the teeth stay the same size.
The laser also sterilizes the tissue as it works. So you get less pain, swelling, and bleeding. You also face a lower infection risk and recover faster than with older methods.
The results last, and they need no special upkeep. Your dentist can pair crown lengthening with other treatments, like porcelain veneers, for the exact look you want.
Feel Good in Every Photo Again
A gummy smile is about more than looks. Excess gum tissue can raise your risk of cavities and gum disease. Treating it protects your health and lifts your confidence at the same time.
Maybe you feel unhappy with the shape or size of your teeth. You do not have to settle. Your cosmetic dentist can build a treatment plan around your goals. Together, you can create healthy, beautiful teeth and the smile you want.
About Dr. Nelson Howard
Dr. Nelson Howard’s favorite part of dentistry is the impact he has on his patients’ lives. He loves restoring confidence, repairing injuries, and helping people relax in the dental chair. He improves their well-being through the art and science of dentistry.
He also holds Accredited Member status with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Only a select group of dentists worldwide earn it. That training helps him enhance your smile with natural-looking results.
To schedule an appointment for cosmetic dentistry, please visit our website or call us today at 858.451.0550.