Our central incisors are located at the front and center of our smile, with the lateral incisors next to them. Their flat, narrow shape allows them to cut through food with ease, while their location makes them a central component of our smile’s appearance. Sometimes these lateral incisors will be smaller than the inner incisors, causing aesthetic concerns that can leave someone embarrassed by their smile. When this occurs, these incisors are called ‘peg laterals.’ They don’t present any oral health risks, but there are methods to address them and restore a natural appearance to your smile.
Peg Laterals And Treating Them
The lateral incisors, also known as the maxillary or upper lateral incisors, appear between the central incisors and our canines. The prominent placement of these teeth makes them an important component of our smile’s appearance. When peg laterals occur, it can make those living with them less willing to smile openly, as they can be a source of embarrassment. There are two known causes of peg laterals, and neither is within the patient’s or dentist’s control to prevent.
The two types of peg laterals are:
- Genetics – Peg laterals appear to run in families, giving them a congenital element.
- Developmental Anomaly – For reasons that are unclear, the adult incisors may not form properly. Another common anomaly is that the adult incisors don’t form at all, resulting in the primary (baby) versions remaining in place.
In both these cases, the result is a smile that has two teeth that don’t match the size of the rest of the teeth. As mentioned before, there are no significant oral health risks to living with peg laterals. One potential health risk is the neighboring teeth moving out of alignment due to the lack of support from normal-sized lateral incisors. Regardless, peg laterals are primarily considered to be a cosmetic concern and are rarely, if ever, covered by dental insurance.
For those dedicated to addressing the appearance of peg laterals, treatment options are available to restore a natural-looking smile. These treatment options include the following:
- Dental Veneers – This treatment has numerous potential applications, both cosmetically and therapeutically. Veneers are thin shells comprised of porcelain or composite resin. This shell is shaped to match the natural shape of your teeth and can address multiple concerns at once. Chips, cracks, discoloration, minor gapping, and peg laterals can all be obscured with a functional veneer.
- Dental Crowns – In patients with particularly small peg laterals, dental crowns are often a good solution. While typically used as a restorative procedure for damaged teeth, they can be used to address peg laterals. This is done by building the crown to be secured upon the peg lateral as a foundation. Once in place, it will function and appear as a natural tooth.
These are two available options; speaking to your dentist may reveal others they provide.
Contact Your Dental Provider To Learn More
Contact your dental provider today if you’re living with peg laterals and are ready to address their appearance. You’ll arrange a consultation and exam, during which they’ll speak with you and analyze your oral health. After the consultation, they’ll provide you with a treatment plan to enhance your oral health and address your peg laterals.