What Causes Short Teeth?
No one likes having short teeth.
If you have short teeth, you may be wondering what caused them and what can be done to fix them. Below is more information about the causes of short teeth, microdontia, and what solutions may be available for the improvement of the appearance of your short teeth.
What Causes Short Teeth?
Short teeth don’t have a single solution. There are a few different reasons why you may have developed short teeth. These reasons include:
* Genetics. One common reason for the development of short teeth is genetics. Microdontia is a condition that leads to short teeth (more detail about the condition below).
* Wear and erosion. Over time, your teeth can start to wear down or erode due to certain oral health conditions. Erosive wear refers to the wearing of teeth due to acidic substances. One common reason for this is acid reflux, which causes stomach acid to come up. Abrasive wear refers to wear that is due to bruxism. Bruxism is a condition in which the patient grinds or clenches their teeth (generally at night).
* Excess gum tissue. If you have excess gum tissue, it will lead to the appearance of short teeth. This doesn’t mean your actual teeth are short—more that your gums are too long.
Types of Microdontia
Microdontia is a genetic condition that causes abnormally short teeth. There are a few different types of microdontia, which include:
* True generalized. True generalized microdontia refers to a condition in which all of the patient’s teeth are smaller. This condition is extremely rare. This generally coincides with dwarfism.
* Relative generalized. With this condition, the jawbone of the patient is large or protrudes forward. This makes the teeth of the patient appear smaller.
* Localized. Localized refers to a single or a few teeth that are smaller than others.
What Can Be Done to Fix Short Teeth?
There are a few different solutions your dentist may consider for the repair of your short teeth. These include:
* Dental veneers. Dental veneers are prosthetics that replace a portion of the top of the tooth, creating the look of a full tooth.
* Dental bonding. Dental bonding involves the placement of a tooth-colored resin. This is generally only an option for smaller repairs.
* Dental crowns. Dental crowns involve the replacement of the entire crown of a patient’s tooth. The tooth is reshaped, and a prosthetic replacement crown is then placed.
* Gum contouring. Gum contouring involves the reshaping of the gums so that more of the natural tooth is visible.
Contact Us Today
If you have short teeth and would like to address the issue, contact us today. We’ll set an appointment for a dentist to examine your teeth and determine what solutions are available to meet your needs. We’ll then set an appointment to begin the process of repairing your short teeth.
We look forward to speaking with you!