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What is Microdontia?
This condition occurs when one or more teeth are smaller than average, a condition known as small teeth or microdontia. Smaller teeth may be more prone to wear, tooth sensitivity, or developing a hole in tooth if oral hygiene is compromised. Any tooth can be affected by microdontia, including both primary and adult teeth; however, it is more common in certain teeth than others. Overall, this condition is relatively rare.
Several types of microdontia are outlined below. The type you have depends on whether it affects one tooth, several teeth, or all your teeth.
Localized Microdontia
This condition is restricted to an isolated tooth or a small group of teeth, most frequently involving the maxillary lateral incisors and third molars. When affecting the front teeth, it commonly manifests as a peg lateral, where the tooth develops a distinct conical shape rather than a standard rectangular crown.
Localized microdontia is typically a hereditary trait and requires targeted cosmetic interventions, such as dental bonding or porcelain veneers, to close the resulting spacing and restore proper arch symmetry.
Relative Microdontia
Rather than a developmental defect of the dentition itself, relative microdontia is a structural illusion caused by a volumetric discrepancy between tooth size and jaw size. When a patient presents with macrognathia (an unusually large maxilla or mandible), teeth of perfectly normal physical dimensions appear disproportionately small.
This skeletal mismatch results in widespread spacing and multiple diastemas across the arch, which are typically managed through a combination of orthodontics and restorative spacing closure.
True Microdontia
True generalized microdontia is an exceptionally rare clinical condition where every tooth in both dental arches develops significantly below standard anatomical dimensions. This systemic anomaly involves the active underdevelopment of both the enamel and dentin matrices during the early morphodifferentiation stage of tooth development.
It’s almost exclusively linked to underlying systemic or congenital factors, such as pituitary dwarfism, ectodermal dysplasia, or pediatric radiation therapy during active odontogenesis.
Signs of Small Teeth
Typically, the most noticeable sign of microdontia is visual, as your teeth appear smaller than average. However, sometimes it can cause other symptoms that include:
- Issues pronouncing certain words.
- Gaps between teeth.
- Bite or misalignment problems.
- Problems with eating.
What Can Cause Microdontia?
Generally, microdontia is an inherited condition, so if parents or siblings have small teeth, you are likely to have them as well. Other causes can include:
- Nutritional deficiencies in A, C, and D vitamins can affect tooth development
- A severe infection during pregnancy can impact tooth development in the unborn baby.
- Preterm babies may have incomplete tooth development, resulting in microdontia.
- Certain hormonal issues, like hypothyroidism, can affect tooth development.
Small teeth can also be a symptom of certain conditions, including Down syndrome, ectodermal dysplasia, and Crouzon syndrome.
Diagnosing Microdontia
When you visit our NYC Dentistry Center, our dentists can diagnose this condition during a dental exam. If needed, they can discuss treatment for small teeth in adults, but treatment may not always be necessary.
However, if you feel self-conscious about small teeth or find that microdontia is causing issues, then it’s worth investigating different treatment options.
Treating Microdontia
If treatment is necessary or desirable, there are several ways to make teeth longer. Possible treatments can include:
- Dental bonding.
- Dental crowns.
- Veneers.
- Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is the most cost-effective and quickest way to make teeth longer and larger. Minimal preparation is needed, as our dentist will use tooth-colored composite resin that is applied directly to the tooth surfaces.
Once all the composite resin is in place, it is hardened, shaped, and polished to achieve the desired result. The final result should create the appearance of a normal-sized tooth that looks and feels natural. Composite resin is reasonably durable, so the results should last several years.
- Dental Crowns
A dental crown covers or caps a small tooth, providing strength and protecting it from tooth pain or developing a hole in tooth in the future. Usually, tooth preparation is necessary when placing a dental crown, but this may be unnecessary in cases of microdontia.
The latest dental crowns are made from all-ceramic materials and are extremely strong, durable, and beautiful. With the right care, they should last for years.
- Veneers
Small teeth veneers are thin shells of porcelain material custom-made to fit over the front surface of the tooth. Porcelain veneers for small teeth are often used in smile makeovers and can create an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
If you are concerned about the appearance or function of small teeth, NYC Dentistry Center in Midtown East can provide solutions to enhance your smile. Call our office at (212) 518-6096 or visit our dentistry center to learn more.
NYC Dentistry Center6 E 45th St #801
New York, NY 10017
(45th St. btw 5th Ave / Madison Ave)
(212) 518-6096