If you dislike the size or shape of your teeth, you might refrain from smiling in public or even avoid social interactions entirely. Although some individuals dislike their smiles because of missing, discolored, misaligned, or broken teeth, unusually shaped or large teeth can also negatively affect your looks.
Moreover, these dental problems can hinder your capacity to uphold good oral hygiene, raising the likelihood of dental diseases. Fortunately, as my family dentist in Mesa, AZ explained, many of these problems can be resolved with cosmetic dental treatments.
What Causes Big Teeth?
When an individual possesses teeth that exceed two standard deviations in size compared to the average for their age and gender, they are diagnosed with a condition referred to as macrodontia. Macrodontia in permanent teeth is believed to affect 0.03 to 1.9 percent of the worldwide population.
Often, people with macrodontia have one or two teeth that are unusually large in their mouth. Sometimes, two teeth can grow merged, resulting in a tooth that is larger than normal. In some cases, specific teeth grow to unusually large sizes.
Individuals with macrodontia may also possess larger-than-average pituitary glands and notice that the characteristics on one side of their face appear enlarged. Genetics, environmental factors, racial background, and hormonal issues can lead to macrodontia. Males and Asians are more prone to encountering this condition compared to others.
Causes
Experts state that there is no clear cause of macrodontia. Rather, it appears that various factors might elevate an individual’s likelihood of developing the condition. These consist of:
Genetics and various genetic disorders
Genetics seems to be a probable factor in macrodontia. Genetic mutations controlling tooth growth might lead to teeth growing interconnected. These mutations might also lead to the teeth growing continuously without halting at the right time. This leads to teeth that are larger than usual.
Childhood
Early years may also contribute to the development of macrodontia. Elements like nutrition, contact with harmful substances or radiation, and various environmental influences can impact an individual’s chance of experiencing macrodontia.
Ethnicity
Studies have found that Asians, Native Americans, and Alaskans have a higher likelihood of experiencing macrodontia compared to individuals of other ethnicities.
Gender
Men have a higher likelihood than females of developing macrodontia.
Hormonal issues
Some genetic disorders that are related to macrodontia are also connected to hormonal imbalances. Hormonal issues, like those associated with the pituitary gland, can lead to irregularities in tooth growth and size.
Here are several cosmetic dental treatments you can use to enhance the shape and size of your teeth.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics can aid in aligning your teeth and, if needed, widening your jaw. A tool known as a palate expander can widen your jaw, allowing your teeth to align more comfortably in your mouth.
A dentist can employ braces and a retainer to assist in straightening your teeth if they are misaligned. A broader jaw and aligned teeth can provide more space for each tooth. This might lessen tooth crowding and cause your teeth to look smaller.
Tooth Reshaping
Tooth reshaping is a cosmetic treatment that provides patients with an improved dental look. In the process, your dentist eliminates a portion of the enamel from your teeth to contour them as needed. This method is solely useful for decreasing the size of your teeth and refining those with an irregular surface.
If your teeth have irregular surfaces from chipping, your dentist can apply resin to fill the spaces, restoring a natural appearance. As the procedure doesn’t involve surgery, a dentist can finish it in a single day, and there’s no need for recovery time.
Nevertheless, because of the enamel sanding and the resin, you need to steer clear of anything that might elevate the risk of cracking and staining. For instance, it is advised not to chew on hard items.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are usually tooth-shaped covers designed to conceal imperfections in teeth. You can consider them a cap concealing your actual teeth underneath. If you have misshapen teeth that fillings won’t repair, your dentist may suggest dental crowns. The majority of dental crowns are crafted from ceramic or porcelain, although some are also available in metal or resin.
Dentists can perform a dental crown placement in just two appointments: the initial appointment focuses on assessing the teeth requiring crowns and prepping them, while you receive the permanent crown during the follow-up visit. The dentist can trim certain areas if your teeth are oversized for the crown. Likewise, if the teeth are excessively thin or have certain sections absent, the dentist can apply a filling substance to create an ideal tooth formation.
Dental Veneers
Similar to dental crowns, veneers are porcelain or resin additions designed to enhance the look of your teeth. Veneers can be utilized if your teeth are small or have irregular shapes as a result of chipping or breaking. Nevertheless, in contrast to crowns that encase your entire tooth, your dentist fastens veneers to the front surface of your teeth.
To permanently bond the veneers, your dentist must initially contour your teeth to establish a rough texture that facilitates effective adhesion. The final stage includes fixing the veneer in place and solidifying the bond with ultraviolet light.
Veneers don’t need a long healing period, but it’s important to take care to avoid harm. For instance, you ought to refrain from biting on hard items and wear a mouth guard during sports activities.
Cosmetic Bonding
Cosmetic bonding is an option for you if you face minor aesthetic concerns, such as spaces between teeth, short teeth, unevenly shaped teeth, and teeth with cracks. The process includes applying composite resin to your teeth to achieve the preferred shape or size. Because of the straightforward nature of the procedure, the dentist can finish it in a single visit.
With cosmetic dentistry, you can avoid living with a smile that disappoints you. If you’re experiencing smile problems because of the shape or size of your teeth, speak to your dentist about the mentioned treatments to achieve the five-star smile you’ve always desired.