How to Tell if You Have Short Teeth?
Short teeth can be a result of an inherited trait or from environmental factors. A child who undergoes chemotherapy or radiation during tooth development may have smaller than average teeth. Patients with developmental disorders such as growth hormone deficiency (dwarfism) or Down syndrome often have smaller teeth. If you are unsure if you have short teeth, here are a few ways to tell:
* Teeth are too small to touch each other
* Teeth do not seem large enough to fill your mouth
* Gum tissue seems too big or long, a “gummy smile”
* Teeth seem too low on gum tissue
Of course, your dentist will be able to tell you if you have short teeth as well.
What causes short teeth?
Some people are genetically predisposed to have smaller teeth or more prominent gum tissue or even a combination of the two. Patients that have periodontal problems may develop gingival hyperplasia, which is simply more prominent gum tissue.
Additionally, patients with crooked teeth often have a bad bite which in turn causes one or two teeth to wear more rapidly than others, making them much shorter than their neighboring teeth. As with bruxism, excessive wear and tear on the teeth can erode them more quickly than usual and leave the patient with short teeth. Bruxism is the unconscious clenching and grinding that many patients do in their sleep but a night guard can be made to protect teeth from wear.
Short teeth can also be a side effect of certain medications. Some drugs can create gingival hyperplasia which is a drug-induced gingival overgrowth. Such medications may include anticonvulsants, calcium channel blockers, and some immunosuppressants. If you are taking any one of these types of drugs, pay attention to your gum tissue to make sure that it is not getting larger or that your teeth do not appear to be getting smaller!
Can short teeth be fixed?
There are a few treatment options available to patients who would like to length and their teeth. Dental bonding, porcelain veneers, gum treatment, and orthodontic therapy are all effective treatment options for short teeth.
Dental bonding uses the same composite material as dental fillings! The resin can be used to lengthen teeth and even reshape them to give them improved appearance but will need to be replaced every five years or so. Porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns are a great way to permanently lengthen your teeth! These are considered permanent because a small amount of tooth structure has to be removed before the porcelain restoration can be placed.
If your teeth are short due to misalignment, you may be advised to undergo orthodontic therapy to straighten your teeth using either traditional braces or clear aligners.
If your teeth are short due to periodontal disease or related gingival hyperplasia, your doctor may suggest gingival treatment such as gum contouring which uses a laser or scalpel to remove excessive gum tissue from the gum line and expose more tooth structure.
If you believe you have short teeth, speak with your dentist to determine the reason for short teeth and discuss what treatment options may be available to you.