One of the first things other people notice about you is the quality of your smile, and unfortunately, it’s easy to see if some of your teeth are shorter than the others. If you’re feeling self-conscious about worn-down or stunted teeth, you might avoid smiling or spending time with others.
Thankfully, your dentist offers various cosmetic and restorative services to address your concerns, which can boost your confidence and improve your daily quality of life. Continue reading to learn about 3 ways your provider handles too-small teeth to enhance your smile!
Treatment #1: Dental Bonding
Whether your teeth appear uneven because they grew improperly or they gradually wore down over time, it’s normal to want to fix their mismatched proportions. One simple but effective way to do this is by rebuilding lost or damaged enamel with dental bonding.
For this procedure, your dentist applies color-matched composite resin to your teeth before molding it into an ideal tooth shape. This is then hardened in place using an ultraviolet curing light so that it bonds with your enamel. This method can be used to reshape or repair your pearly whites to improve their appearance and functionality, and can last 10 to 15+ years if cared for correctly.
Treatment #2: Dental Crown
Although dental bonding can be an effective way to increase the surface area of your enamel, you might not be a good candidate if your teeth have sustained more severe damage or decay.
In these cases, your dentist might recommend placing a dental crown to upgrade your grin. These restorations are tooth-shaped caps typically made from resilient ceramic that’s carefully customized to match (or improve!) the hue, shape, and size of your natural enamel. They’re often used to mend chips and cracks, cap a dental implant, anchor a bridge, or to protect a tooth that underwent a root canal. However, they can also be used to protect shorter teeth while giving them more lifelike proportions.
Treatment #3: Gum Recontouring
Some patients have excessive amounts of connective tissue anchoring their teeth in place. If your gums cover more than the usual amount of enamel, they can be perceived as looking too small in comparison.
Fortunately, your dentist can reshape your gumline by removing unnecessary tissue with a soft-tissue laser. This advanced technology cauterizes the wound as it works, helping reduce potential bleeding and hastening your recovery following the procedure.
If you’re unsure of the best way to achieve your smile goals, your dentist can provide a customized treatment plan to meet your unique needs after your cosmetic consultation!
Meet the Author
Dr. Admasu Gizachew (fondly known as Dr. G to patients) is passionate about helping you improve your daily life by enhancing your dental condition. He earned his dental doctorate at New York University and has since completed additional training in various topics, including dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, and more. Today, he proudly offers a comprehensive menu of services to address all your needs under one roof. If you’re frustrated by teeth that look too small, you can request an appointment on the website or call (732) 475-7535.