A beautiful, straight smile is an important part of your life as it can speak volumes and leave lasting impressions on others. Did you also know that the simple yet beautiful act of smiling can trick your brain into happiness by releasing certain hormones? 

When that’s the case, isn’t it a shame if you have to hide your smile because you feel insecure about it? So, if you find yourself shying away from smiling because you have under-developed teeth called peg laterals, it’s time to switch things up. 

Also known as small teeth, it is a condition where your lateral incisors don’t develop properly, coming out smaller or slightly pointed. They are a common anomaly that may be present in one or both lateral incisors, with certain cases where they may not form at all. 

While peg laterals don’t necessarily affect your oral health, they can surely make you insecure, especially because they are easily visible. That’s not something we want for you at Warrnambool Smile Dental. So, if you want a smile that can make a big impact, we can help you with our peg lateral treatments. 

What Causes Peg Laterals? 

There are two main factors that cause peg laterals: 

1. Genetics: Just like the colour of your eyes you inherited from your parents, peg laterals can also be passed down genetically. So, if you have peg laterals, chances are it runs in your family. 
2. Developmental Issues: The chances of having peg teeth are high if your teeth don’t develop properly in the womb.

In addition, factors such as missing teeth and trauma to the mouth can also lead to peg lateral teeth. 

The thing about pegged teeth is that there’s no way for you to prevent them because they aren’t a result of your habits or lifestyle. While treating peg teeth is not a medical necessity, you can opt to have them fixed if they make you feel self-conscious. 

What Are the Peg Lateral Treatment Options?

When it comes to treating peg lateral teeth, there are several options available. The best option, however, depends on your needs and since these teeth are very small, the treatment involved also needs to be as conservative as possible to prevent any further damage. 

When you visit our dental clinic in Warrnambool for peg lateral treatment, we first check for enough space between the two teeth to accommodate a full-sized tooth. 

There’s no need to worry even if you don’t because we can create the space needed to continue treatment with our orthodontic solutions like Invisalign. The treatment options available include: 

Dental Veneers 

Veneers are thin, tooth-coloured shells bonded to the surface of your teeth to improve how they look. They are customised by our dentists using high-quality and long-lasting materials to mask any imperfections and blend seamlessly with your smile. 

In addition to improving the appearance of your pegged teeth, veneers are also used to correct the appearance of stained, chipped, misshapen, broken or crooked teeth. 

Dental Bonding 

This treatment option involves applying a tooth-coloured filling material (composite resin) and moulding and shaping it to match the surrounding teeth. Dental bonding is a straightforward restorative solution that can be easily completed in just one visit. 

Dental Crowns 

Dental crowns are custom-made, tooth-coloured caps cemented to the affected tooth. Made from either porcelain, ceramic or metal alloys, they can be used to visually lengthen the short peg teeth to make them more symmetrical in appearance. These dental crowns also provide more support, protection and function for peg lateral teeth. 

Unhappy with your peg tooth/teeth? Schedule an appointment at Warrnambool Smile Dental for peg lateral treatments and give yourself an aesthetically pleasing smile that you love!