There are many things about our smiles that make them unique. Whether it’s a gap in your grin or slightly crooked pearly whites, no smile is exactly the same. Even so, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to improve the look of your beam. This is often the case for people who have small teeth. But what can cause teeth to look like this in the first place? Keep reading to learn about three potential causes of small teeth and some ways that your dentist can help them look more uniform.
3 Possible Causes of Microdontia
When someone has teeth that develop to look smaller than average, this is called microdontia. This condition can be caused by a genetic disorder, a side-effect of radiation exposure, a cleft palate, or other developmental issues. Microdontia can also be hereditary. Grinding your teeth may also lead to excessive wear, which will make them appear smaller. There are a few different types of microdontia, which include:
- Localized – This is the most common form of microdontia. It makes only one or a few teeth look small and usually affects the upper teeth. Localized microdontia may impact the root or crown of the tooth.
- Relative generalized – With this kind of microdontia, the teeth may be normal in size but may still look smaller than average as the result of the gums extending too far over the teeth or a large jawbone.
- True generalized – Growth hormone deficiency, which is also known as pituitary dwarfism, can cause true generalized microdontia. This is because people who have this condition have pituitary glands that don’t produce enough growth hormones, which makes all of their teeth smaller than average.
3 Ways to Fix Microdontia
Fortunately, there are a few ways that your dentist can correct small teeth, including:
- Dental crowns – These tooth-colored caps surround the visible part of a tooth and are made from resin, metal, porcelain, or ceramic. Though they are often used to repair damaged teeth, crowns can also make small teeth look bigger.
- Porcelain veneers – These thin shells are made from dental-grade porcelain and custom-made to fit your smile. They cover the front surface of your pearly whites to mask cosmetic issues and can also change the size and shape of your teeth.
- Cosmetic dental bonding – This treatment corrects the same issues as porcelain veneers but is much cheaper. With that being said, bonding is also less durable and won’t last as long. The bonding material is color-matched to your smile and can be used to make your pearly whites appear bigger.
About the Practice
If you have small teeth that you are looking to fix, Dr. George A. Hoop is here to help. Along with his Fort Myers team at Total Dental Solutions for Adults, he can determine the cause of your small teeth and give you treatment options to give you the full, healthy smile that you desire. Are you ready to make an appointment with Total Dental Solutions for Adults or do you want to learn more about their services? If so, call their office at (239) 939-7299 or visit their website to get started.