Microdontia is a condition in which one or more of your teeth are smaller than normal. It may only affect part of the tooth, or the whole tooth and may even cause an abnormal shape.
Types of Microdontia
There are three types of microdontia. True generalized microdontia is extremely rare. This variation of microdontia affects all of your teeth and tends to occur in people who have pituitary dwarfism.
With relative generalized microdontia, the teeth appear smaller than normal, but this is because the jaws are larger than normal. It occurs when an individual inherits their teeth from one parent, but their larger jaw from the other parent.
In the instance of localized, or focal, microdontia, only one or two teeth are affected. The teeth most often affected by localized microdontia are the lateral incisors. These teeth take on a "peg" shape and have shortened roots. The second most frequently affected teeth are the third molars.
Treatment
Having teeth that look smaller than normal can cause some serious issues with self-confidence. Fortunately, there are several cosmetic treatments that can give you a beautiful, uniform smile.
Composite bonding is a method in which your dentist applies a malleable, tooth colored composite to the affected tooth and shapes it to resemble a full sized, normal tooth. It is then hardened and polished. It requires very little preparation, only the roughening of the surface of the tooth so the bonding material can adhere. This is a lower cost option for restoring teeth but don't let the lower cost fool you. This is often the best choice for creating that great smile you always hoped for. The composites used today are strong, resist staining and are color stable.
Veneers are a thin, tooth colored "shells" that cover the front of the tooth. These are made of porcelain or a high tech ceramic. Some of the tooth may need to be removed to properly place the veneer but this is usually not needed when dealing with undersized teeth. These restorations are ultra esthetic and have a terrific life span. Dr. Shapiro's veneers often last as long as 20 plus years.
A crown is a "cap" that covers the whole tooth. It restores the whole tooth and also provides a degree of strength. It is usually made of a tooth colored ceramic. These restorations are not often done for undersized teeth as they require the unnecessary removal of healthy tooth structure.
You don't need to live with small, uneven teeth. Contact our office about your options to give you an even, beautiful smile that you will love showing off.