Do you hide your smile because you wish your front teeth looked different? Some of us have adult front teeth or canine teeth that appear to be too big. This can cause difficulty eating certain foods, or embarrassment. There are cosmetic dental treatments that can give you your ideal smile.
What Causes Big Front Teeth
Some front teeth appear to be too large but actually aren’t. The jaw may be super small, making the teeth look large in comparison. Or gums may have receded significantly, exposing more of the tooth surface.
About two percent of Americans have overly large front teeth due to a condition called macrodontia. This is primarily a genetic and/or pituitary hormone condition that can cause teeth to overgrow or grow together. Men are more likely to develop this condition. This is rare and can be assessed by your dentist, who will need to take some dental x-rays.
In the end, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that is you. If you find your front teeth look too large, your dentist can evaluate treatment options including cosmetic dental treatments.
Which Dental Treatments Fix Extra Large Teeth
• Recontouring. Contouring is a dental term for reshaping the teeth. If the tooth has healthy enamel and good strong structure, your dentist can reduce the tooth size slightly by shaving it. Don’t try this at home. This is a dental procedure which uses a sanding device to remove a small bit of the surface enamel of the tooth. It is done very gently and carefully to ensure the tooth does not become weakened. This procedure is typically recommended by dentists to reduce the size of extra large front teeth or overly pointy cuspids (aka canine teeth, eye teeth or fangs).
• Orthodontics. Sometimes teeth are normal sized, but are sitting too tightly packed together in the jaw. Braces or teeth straightening systems can widen and expand small jaws. This gives teeth more room and may make them appear smaller. Braces may also be able to move teeth up into the jaw, shortening them. Your dentist will evaluate your specific situation and whether braces could help.
• Gum adjustments. If teeth look larger due to recessed gums, many adults can successfully have gum tissue grafted and placed over the tooth where the original gum is missing. This will not only improve the look of the teeth, but provide a healthier mouth environment and a defense against further periodontal disease.
Whitmore dental provides cosmetic dentistry to help everyone love their smile. If you have questions about your extra large teeth, contact us today for a dental exam and recommended treatment plan.
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