Peg Lateral Tooth Restorations

If your teeth aren’t symmetrical when you smile and you notice a relatively small, conical front tooth, you may have a peg-shaped lateral tooth. Although having a peg lateral is an insignificant detail, it can badly impact the homogeneous appearance and the pretty smile you are looking for.

What is a peg lateral tooth?

A peg lateral tooth is an obviously undersized and abnormally shaped permanent lateral tooth that lies between the central tooth and canine.

It’s a developmental dental malformation known as localized microdontia that affects the formation of permanent lateral teeth (the teeth next to the central two teeth, either on the right side, left side, or both).

Instead of having a normal, rectangular lateral tooth shape that harmonizes with neighboring teeth forming a set of perfect teeth, its crown appears small, pointed, and conical, creating a large diastema (gap) in your smile.

The normal appearance of the maxillary lateral incisor is roughly smaller than the wider central incisor and fits snugly between the central and the canine. As a replica of the front teeth, its sides are nearly parallel, creating a flat, horizontal biting surface, a little shorter than the upper centrals.

How to fix a gap in front teeth!

What causes peg lateral teeth?

Several distinct factors lead to tooth malformation, including:

1. Inherited genetic trait: This is the most common cause, resulting from a specific gene defect in parents and passed down to their children, which in turn affects normal tooth formation.
2. Developmental issues: This means any factors that may happen during the tooth formation stage. This includes things like local trauma to the tooth bud, infection, or developmental issues like cleft lip and palate, resulting in disruption of normal tooth formation. 
3. Vitamin deficiency in early childhood: a lack of important nutrients, especially vitamins A, B, and D during the early developmental stage of the baby’s first couple of years, can negatively affect tooth size and shape. 
4. Syndrome-associated symptoms, in some cases, may appear as one of multiple dental symptoms related to genetic syndromes like Down syndrome and Williams syndrome. 

Is it necessary to fix peg lateral teeth?

No, it is not necessary. In most cases, it is a cosmetic concern; however, peg-shaped laterals are an issue if they affect the following: 

• Neighboring teeth alignment: the existing gap gives the chance for the neighboring teeth to shift into the space, resulting in a misaligned bite.
• Function: its conical shape-where the cutting edge is pointed and smaller in diameter than the coronal part near the gum line- when it’s exaggerated, it affects the cutting efficiency as well as clear speaking. 
• Gum health: this noticeable gap (diastema) increases food impaction and plaque accumulation, which, over time, increases the risk of developing gum disease. 
• Self-confidence: these malformed teeth often make the individual feel shy when smiling or speaking.

Cosmetic treatment options for a peg lateral tooth

Since a pegged tooth is an undersized tooth, we need to restore its shape and function. We can do this through various options; each option has its pros and cons. Here are the available treatments:

1- Building up a peg lateral with composite resin 

Composite bonding is the most conservative and affordable option, without any need to remove any of the peg lateral tooth structure. It involves building up the tooth body with a tooth-coloured composite resin in a single visit to achieve the proper shape of normal teeth. 

The possible disadvantages of composite resin as a dental filling are that it has a lifespan of 5-7 years in the mouth; also, it is not stain-resistant, as after years, it starts to slightly change its color, loses its luster and shape, and needs to be refilled.

Composite bonding for peg lateral restoration is a cost-effective treatment with high success rates and satisfaction results when you brush your teeth regularly and eat or drink less colored food and beverages like blueberries, coffee, wine, and so on. 

2- Porcelain Veneers for a peg lateral   

Porcelain veneers, like Emax veneer is a better option than composite filling, as it lasts 10 – 15 years when it’s maintaines properly. Emax veneers are a thin custom-made shell made of porcelain and ceramics, designed for each tooth by CAD/CAM. 

Emax veneers are a highly aesthetic restoration that mimic the natural tooth color and luster; they are also stain-resistant and fracture-resistant, completely covering the front surface of teeth, restoring the shape, contact with the neighboring teeth, and function at the same time, offering a more durable option, superior strength, and natural transparency. 

Composite vs. Emax veneers: what are the differences?

3- Ceramic Crowns for a peg lateral tooth Restoration

Ceramic crowns (Zirconia or E.max), a full-coverage cap covering the whole tooth crown, restore shape and size. This option is typically ideal for teeth that are too weak and require extra strength alongside the reshaping. 

Upper peg-shaped lateral teeth that undergo dental filling or root canal treatment are recommended for more protective restoration like a full-coverage dental crown.

Discover the best crown for teeth: Emax or Zirconia crown?

4- Orthodontic treatment for peg lateral tooth spacing

Orthodontic braces or clear aligners, such as Invisalign, are recommended when the peg lateral tooth not only needs to be reshaped, but also needs to be moved into the right position before any cosmetic treatment is performed.

Invisalign for teeth gaps: how does it work?

The cost of fixing a peg lateral tooth with Suave

Dental insurance in most countries doesn’t cover peg lateral teeth treatment, as it is considered cosmetic treatment.

Fortunately, at Suave Dental Clinic, we offer multiple treatment options with the best offers and dental packages in Turkey. We don’t just offer a single-tooth restoration; we provide a full, personalized treatment package according to your aesthetic needs and budget. 

You can go for a fast, single-visit composite veneer at a budget-friendly cost. Or shift to a more durable and high-end dental veneer in E.max or zirconia veneers, which range from €240 – €450. E.max and zirconia crowns are available for teeth that need full coverage and extra strength, for an average of $160 to $200.

FAQs

Peg Lateral Tooth Restoration

Can braces fix peg lateral teeth?

Braces themselves can’t fix the shape of a peg lateral tooth. However, they are often used as part of the treatment plan to move the tooth to the right position or create enough space before fixing the shape. 

How common are peg lateral incisors?

Peg lateral incisors are considered an uncommon developmental issue; it affects around 1.7% of the overall population, with a slightly higher prevalence in females than in males and in certain populations.