About 23% of adults say they feel self-conscious about the appearance of their smile. While tooth discoloration is the most common complaint, abnormally shaped teeth and teeth that appear shorter than average are also top cosmetic concerns.
At Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants in Gulfport, Mississippi, Dr. Caesar Sweidan and Dr. Laura Smith know that you may feel embarrassed if your teeth look short. However, several treatments can help.
Here, we explain what causes teeth to look short and explore ways to counteract the issue.
Teeth can look short for several reasons, including:
Human genes contain specific instructions for various physical characteristics, including hair and eye color, height, and skin tone. They also impact the size, shape, and alignment of teeth. As a result, some people naturally have teeth that look small or unusually shaped.
Several genetic disorders can make the issue more noticeable, including microdontia, which makes the teeth look smaller than average, and Hallermann-Streiff Syndrome, which affects how the skull and facial bones develop.
Certain activities, like chewing and grinding your teeth, cause enamel (the outside layer of the teeth) to wear down. If you regularly clench your teeth due to stress or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), it can speed up this deterioration and make your teeth look shorter.
Gastrointestinal conditions, like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and gastroenteritis (stomach inflammation), often cause stomach acid to enter the mouth. Without proper treatment, this influx of acid can erode your tooth enamel and shorten your teeth.
Some people have more gum tissue than others, resulting in a “gummy” smile. The good news is that excessive gum tissue can be trimmed back with a quick and painless procedure called cosmetic gum contouring.
As dentistry experts, we regularly treat shorter-than-average teeth. After an oral exam, dental X-rays, and a discussion of your goals, we make personalized treatment recommendations.
Depending on your needs, we could suggest:
We include you in each step of the treatment process, ensuring you’re pleased with the final result.
If you have short teeth that make you avoid smiling, contact Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants in Gulfport, Mississippi, to schedule an appointment. Safe procedures can transform your smile and help you feel your best.
