The perception of “small teeth” often leads individuals to seek cosmetic dental solutions. This appearance may stem from actual tooth size, a condition known as microdontia, where teeth are naturally smaller than average. A common localized form is the “peg lateral,” where the upper side incisors are small and cone-shaped.
Teeth can also appear small due to long-term wear or an excessive display of gum tissue covering the tooth crown. Regardless of the cause, correction focuses on achieving better tooth-to-tooth and tooth-to-gum proportion. Modern cosmetic dentistry offers techniques to augment tooth size and redefine the smile line.
Enhancing Size with Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a conservative, typically single-visit method for increasing the apparent size of a tooth. This technique utilizes composite resin, a tooth-colored material shaped directly onto the tooth surface. The dentist prepares the tooth by lightly etching the surface to help the resin adhere securely.
The composite material is applied, molded, and sculpted to achieve the desired size and shape, focusing on lengthening or widening the tooth. A high-intensity light is used to rapidly cure and harden the resin, creating a strong bond with the natural tooth structure. This process requires minimal removal of the original tooth enamel, making it a reversible procedure.
Bonding is often the least expensive option, but its durability is lower than other methods, typically lasting three to ten years. Maintaining results requires avoiding habits like biting on hard objects and minimizing consumption of staining agents such as coffee or red wine. The composite resin is more susceptible to staining and chipping compared to stronger materials.
Permanent Reshaping Using Veneers
For a more durable and aesthetically superior enhancement, dental veneers are recommended to fix undersized teeth. These are thin, custom-fabricated shells, most commonly made of porcelain, permanently cemented to the front surface of the tooth. Veneers offer excellent resistance to stains and superior light-reflecting properties, closely mimicking the natural translucency of tooth enamel.
The process requires multiple appointments, beginning with a slight reduction of the tooth’s enamel (about a half-millimeter) to ensure the veneer does not look bulky or unnatural. This preparation accommodates the thickness of the shell, meaning the procedure is irreversible. After preparation, an impression is taken and sent to a lab where the porcelain shells are crafted.
At the second visit, the custom veneers are bonded onto the teeth using a strong dental cement, providing an exceptionally strong and long-lasting restoration. With proper care, porcelain veneers have a predictable lifespan, often lasting 10 to 15 years or longer. While more costly than bonding, veneers provide maximum aesthetic transformation and durability for small or misshapen teeth.
Adjusting Tooth Length Through Gum Contouring
Sometimes, teeth appear small because they are partially covered by excess gum tissue, a condition commonly called a “gummy smile.” In these cases, adjusting the soft tissue through gum contouring (gingivoplasty or crown lengthening) can dramatically improve tooth proportion. This procedure reshapes the gum line to expose more of the natural tooth structure.
The procedure is performed using either a surgical scalpel or, more commonly, a soft-tissue laser. The laser offers greater precision and minimizes bleeding, often leading to a faster and more comfortable recovery compared to traditional methods. Local anesthesia is used to ensure comfort, and the procedure is generally completed in a single office visit.
Recovery typically takes a few days to two weeks, depending on the extent of the reshaping. Patients are advised to maintain a diet of soft, non-spicy foods for the first few days to protect the healing gums. This procedure may be used as a standalone solution or done before bonding or veneers to create the ideal canvas for final tooth restorations.