Are Short Teeth Common?
There are many reasons that a patient may have short teeth, or microdontia, and there are different types of microdontia that can affect an individual. Atypically small teeth is not uncommon and does not usually occur throughout the mouth, often just one or two teeth. Patients with genetic conditions such as pituitary dwarfism may have uniformly smaller teeth which is a rare form of microdontia called “true generalized” microdontia.
Relative generalized microdontia is characterized by a large or protruding jaw that give the appearance of small teeth, even though they are not, the size of the teeth is small relative to the size of the jaw.
Localized microdontia is when a single tooth is smaller than usual or smaller in comparison to neighboring teeth. Subtypes of microdontia include a normal sized crown but a small root, a normal sized root with a small crown, and of course a tooth that is small overall.
Are short teeth common?
There are so many genetic causes and environmental factors that can be associated with microdontia. Just to name a few:
* Chemotherapy or radiation during infancy or early childhood: treatment can affect the development of the teeth
* Cleft lip and palate: when the mouth does not form properly during pregnancy
* Down syndrome: peg-shaped teeth are common in patients with Down syndrome
* Ectodermal dysplasia: affects the formation of hair, skin, and nails; teeth are often cone shaped
* Pituitary Dwarfism: can result in teeth that are uniformly smaller than average
* Fanconi anemia: when bone marrow does not produce enough red blood cells, patients can have physical abnormalities including but not limited to microdontia
* Gorlin-Chaudhry-Moss syndrome: premature closure of the bones in the skull can cause abnormalities in the head and face
* Williams syndrome: affects the development of facial features and can result in widely spaced teeth and a wide mouth
* Turner syndrome: affects female patients and can result in short teeth
* Rieger syndrome: causes eye abnormalities and underdeveloped or missing teeth
Do I need to see my dentist for short teeth?
If your short teeth cause you to have a bad bite, you may want to have that addressed by your dentist. Patients with malocclusion often have trouble with crowding with wear and tear that surpasses what is normal. If you experience any pain in your jaw or teeth, it is important to see your dentist to have your mouth evaluated and the underlying cause of microdontia fixed when possible. Some patients may be able to have restorative treatment to improve the aesthetics of their smile! Your dentist may offer treatment options such as:
Dental Bonding
Composite bonding is a quick way to reshape and teeth, adding structure where needed. Your dentist uses an acidic solution to roughen up the surface of the tooth so that the bonding adheres properly. The bonding material can be tinted to match your teeth and is easily removed in the event that you no longer want the bonding on your teeth.
Dental Crowns and Veneers
Crowns and veneers are made of the same porcelain material and cover more surface area than bonding. A crown covers the entire tooth and veneers cover the front surface, the part that shows when you smile. Since they are made from porcelain, they are considerably stronger than bonding and can last much longer. The dentist usually has to shave off a small amount of enamel to allow space for the crown or veneer but in the case of microdontia, that may not be necessary. They are both a great, permanent option to improve the shape of your teeth and give you a smile you love!