Small teeth aren’t usually an oral health issue, and the gaps in some people’s smiles can be quite cute or endearing. However, some people may not be pleased with their grins due to stubby teeth or large spaces that can be distracting. If you aren’t happy with the shape of your teeth, your dentist will be happy to perform cosmetic treatments to help you achieve your ideal smile. Here’s a quick look at a few popular aesthetic procedures and how they can resculpt your teeth.
Veneers
Veneers are thin ceramic shells designed to mimic the ideal appearance of natural enamel, and they can be used to reshape small, stubby, or misshapen teeth or even to conceal chips, cracks, stains, and gaps. Placing these devices typically takes two appointments and involves removing a small amount of enamel, which means the teeth that receive them will need to wear them for life for protection. Veneers have transformed countless smiles into gorgeous new states and may last fifteen years or more if they receive excellent care.
Metal-Free Restorations
These ceramic dental crowns are very similar to veneers in how they are constructed and placed. Receiving them is an irreversible process that will make wearing them necessary from then on, and they usually take at least two appointments to place. However, metal-free dental crowns are typically used to reshape the teeth in the back of the mouth rather than the front, and they may receive partial insurance coverage if they provide oral health benefits such as rebuilding a tooth after injury or infection.
Dental Bonding
This treatment is quick, noninvasive, and painless without anesthesia, and it can conceal chips, cracks, stains, and gaps for several years if the patient practices excellent oral hygiene. To perform this procedure, your dentist will apply tooth-colored composite resin to the defect in the tooth being treated, sculpt the putty-like substance to match the natural shape of your smile, and harden the restoration with a specialized UV light. The tooth will be ready for normal use immediately after the procedure, and the process can often be completed in minutes during a routine dental checkup.
Don’t let small or stubby teeth make you shy about showing off your grin. Consulting with your dentist can help you find a cosmetic treatment that allows you to achieve your ideal smile.
About the Author
Dr. Robert A. Rosenbaum earned his dental degree at the Georgetown University School of Dentistry and has provided outstanding oral healthcare to the community of Modesto for more than forty years. He is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association and the California Dental Association. His office offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry. If you are concerned about the shape of your teeth, contact his office online or dial (350) 200-0643.