What Causes Short Teeth
If one or more of your teeth appear shorter or smaller than normal, you might feel embarrassed and uncomfortable smiling, and you might even notice that the affected teeth cause issues when you’re talking or eating. The clinical term for teeth that are shorter or narrower than average is microdontia, though many people refer to the condition as short teeth. Short teeth can appear because of genetics or because of wear and tear, and determining the reason is an important part of diagnosis and for planning the best course of treatment. When short teeth occur because of underlying conditions, the root cause of the condition should also be addressed before choosing and implementing treatment; when it’s time for treatment, dentists can restore the appearance of the smile and the stable, balanced functioning of the teeth using a few different treatment methods.
There are a few different ways microdontia can appear, and the condition is most frequently related to a genetic condition. The most common kind of microdontia is localized microdontia, which is characterized by a single tooth that is smaller than average. Localized microdontia appears most often in the upper lateral incisors, which are the teeth on either side of the two front teeth, or in the third molars farthest back in the mouth.
On the opposite end of the spectrum lies generalized microdontia, in which all the teeth in the upper and lower rows are smaller than average. Sometimes, this means that the person’s teeth will look like baby teeth despite being adult teeth, and other times, the teeth may be more peg shaped and noticeably gapped. Some of the causes of generalized microdontia include Down’s syndrome, certain pituitary conditions, and treatment with chemotherapy or radiation, though there are many genetic conditions that can affect the shape and size of the teeth and the rate at which the teeth erupt and develop.
Sometimes, people’s teeth only appear smaller when compared with the size of their disproportionately large jaws. When this is the case, the condition is referred to as relatively generalized microdontia. When microdontia is caused by wear and tear, it can affect multiple teeth or just a few, depending on the reason for the damage. Over time, teeth are subjected to various forces that can affect their shape and size.
These forces are generally categorized as erosive or abrasive. Erosive wear on the teeth can be intrinsic or extrinsic, meaning it can come from the inside or the outside. Intrinsic erosion is caused by continued or chronic exposure to acids from the gastrointestinal system, which damages the back teeth as it enters the oral cavity. This is most frequently seen in people with gastric reflux disorders and in people who vomit frequently. Extrinsic wear comes from corrosive acids in foods and drinks, like soda; excessive consumption erodes the teeth.
Abrasive forces that can cause short teeth include excessive pressure on the teeth. One of the more common examples of this is bruxism, which is the chronic, habitual grinding or clenching of the teeth. If there are issues with your teeth’s alignment and you also have bruxism, the wear on certain teeth will be greater than on others and the teeth will gradually become shorter than the teeth around them.
Clearly, with so many possible causes, short teeth have just as many possible solutions. When there is an underlying cause for short teeth, the cause will be treated before any cosmetic restorations can take place, and treatment may include testing for possible genetic causes when these aren’t already known. Bruxism and dental alignment will be addressed accordingly, and then, cosmetic solutions can be used to restore the appearance of a proportionate, even smile.