110 – Can You Make Short Teeth Longer

Can You Make Short Teeth Longer?

Some people have teeth that are too small for their dental arch. This feature can cause functional and aesthetic problems, but it is currently possible to treat this condition and make teeth larger or longer in order to achieve greater symmetry in the smile.

Dental procedures have evolved a lot in recent decades. Technology is now part of dentistry. In addition, new techniques and materials have emerged. All of this makes it possible to develop solutions for people to achieve a healthy and harmonious smile.

In this scenario, there are some options for methods to increase the size of teeth that are adopted depending on each case. We prepared this article to present the three main ones that help to harmonize the smile and enhance the appearance. Keep reading to find out what they are and check out tips on how to choose the ideal professional to perform these treatments.

Methods for enlarging teeth

Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are very thin prosthetic laminates, measuring around 0.7 millimeters. They are similar to covers, which we glue over the small teeth to make them look bigger. These laminates are custom manufactured so that they fit perfectly over natural teeth and provide a harmonic and symmetrical result on each face. Therefore, planning is needed to define the ideal size and shape of these small prostheses. In addition to increasing the size of the teeth, it is possible to modify other characteristics, such as their shade. We can also correct small dental misalignments, but in some cases, it is necessary to make a slight wear on the enamel so that the laminate fits perfectly. Therefore, it is a definitive treatment.

Aesthetic gingival surgery
Also called gingivoplasty, this surgery aims to remove excess gum tissue that is covering the teeth. There are cases where they are not small, but the gum is very large and overlaps the enamel. It is necessary for the professional to carefully assess each situation to see if it is indeed possible to remove this tissue without leaving the root of the teeth exposed. In addition to this procedure increasing the size of the dentition, it helps to minimize the gummy smile problem and allows you to model the edges of the gum so that they are rounded and symmetrical. It is considered a simple procedure, which can be performed in the dentist’s office with local anesthesia. The postoperative period is not complicated, basically requiring adjustments in diet and good hygiene, as the gum is a tissue that recovers quickly.

Dental contact lenses or Lumineers
Dental contact lenses are very similar to porcelain veneers, the main difference being their thickness. The lenses are thinner, measuring between 0.2 and 0.5 millimeters, but they provide an excellent result for enlarging small teeth when there is no need to make other more expressive aesthetic modifications. Like veneers, these laminates are custom made. Depending on the case, it is also possible to change the color of the enamel, achieving whiter teeth. Because they are very thin, there is not always a need to wear down the enamel. Contact lenses are also a definitive treatment, once glued to the teeth, they can no longer be removed. In case of damage to the part, it must be replaced.

Ceramic fragment
The ceramic fragment acts in the same way as facets and contact lenses, improving the smile. However, he is only a fraction of the prosthesis. It is glued in the place where you want to make the adjustment, that is, it does not cover all the enamel.

Its material is also different, because it is a feldspathic ceramic, which is a very delicate type of porcelain. Enamel grinding is not necessary, but this is not an effective technique when large increases in tooth size are required.