Small lateral incisor, should I use a veneer?

[Angel21]

It's been almost a year since I had my braces removed, but I'm a little unhappy with one side of my smile, in particular the way the lateral incisor looks.

My ortho has suggested I could have a veneer put in, but I'm wondering whether this will be worth it. I'm not sure if I like the idea of a tooth being shaved down, and I feel it's more of the positioning of the tooth that's the problem than just the size itself (seems slightly set back than the other). Also I would assume I'd need to change the retainer. I had my teeth whitened too with a separate tray.

Notice how the lateral incisor here on the left looks smaller than the one on the right:
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1565/1 ... 546430.jpg

I edited some pictures to flip the right tooth on the left, so that it's more symmetrical, possibly what a veneer would make it look like.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1565/1 ... 927020.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1565/1 ... 927022.jpg

If it was you, would you do it or leave it the way it is?

Any replies would be appreciated, thanks!

[cdmoses6]

I think that it clearly bothers you, and if you can afford to fix it you absolutely should! I personally think your smile already looks great. People who know you will probably think you are crazy, because it is not noticeable unless you specifically point it out. But YOU are the one who needs to be happy with your smile. Do what you need to do to make that happen.

[Angel21]

I think that it clearly bothers you, and if you can afford to fix it you absolutely should! I personally think your smile already looks great. People who know you will probably think you are crazy, because it is not noticeable unless you specifically point it out. But YOU are the one who needs to be happy with your smile. Do what you need to do to make that happen.

Thanks, maybe I'm just being too picky.

[Uglybetty1]

I think your teeth are lovely the way they are and I can see nothing wrong with them! I wouldn't ruin such lovely teeth with a veneer

[mapleleafman888]

Hey I have the small laterals as well, both sides, the ortho said I would need to get bonding or veneers to fill in the 1-2mm of space...but I am opting to leave the space, I really don't care and 2 mm of resin isn't worth 500 bucks to me. Veneers are the worst thing IMO, shave down a good tooth permanently...plus they're 1000 bucks a piece.

Anyways I say all to say If I were you, try bonding if you really are bugged by the space, or just leave it like me...veneers, NO!

You'll have to get a new retainer as well I'd say, so there's another thing to add to the list.

Have a look at my story if you want to see my pics, there are a few here and there.

Good luck, I think your teeth look just fine. I feel a bit the same way you do, but everyone has given such positive feedback.

[zena]

you don't need to change anything.mine is even smaller than yours. i wouldn't do the veneers. maybe bonding.or do nothing as longs as they are straight

[brooks]

I would definitely get bonding. My cosmetic dentist prefers bonding in situations like this, where you are iffy about fixing it or not. Bonding can be beautiful for many years, doesn't ruin the tooth, and if you love it you could always get a veneer later down the road when your bonding needs to be redone. Or you could continue to have it bonded. I imagine you will be really happy with it! Any asymmetry would bother me a lot too, so I would definitely say to have it done if you are uncomfortable with it

[DrJasonKTam]

My personal feeling here is that you have had some relapse of the anterior teeth and that the size of your small lateral isn't actually that small. The lateral is now tipped lingually, which makes it appear even shorter than it actually is. Much of the asymmetric appearance has to do with the length of the tooth. It looks like you did not finish with a fixed lingual retainer in the upper arch, so you have experienced some shifting. If anything, I would consider realigning the teeth, with extrusion of the laterals to better match the lengths of the centrals.

Any veneer or bonding you do is going to have the same effect of increasing the length of the tooth, not the width, since it doesn't look like you have space on either side to make the tooth wider. Also consider that once you do a restoration, you are likely committed to replacement throughout your lifetime, and that a veneer or bonding will always stain at a different rate than the rest of your teeth.

[Snowglobe32]

I think your smile is beautiful and I wouldn't change a thing...

I was watching Dancing with the Stars last night and Rumer Willis clearly had her teeth done and I am not a huge fan. In my opinion, they look very big, too white and don't fit her face properly. Some people love them but not me. I like the natural look and I think your teeth are beautiful.

[Angel21]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I know this reply is a bit late!

I may consider bonding in the future if it's an option, though there seems to be quite a few negatives to bonding/veneers so I'm more inclined to just leave it natural.

My personal feeling here is that you have had some relapse of the anterior teeth and that the size of your small lateral isn't actually that small. The lateral is now tipped lingually, which makes it appear even shorter than it actually is. Much of the asymmetric appearance has to do with the length of the tooth. It looks like you did not finish with a fixed lingual retainer in the upper arch, so you have experienced some shifting. If anything, I would consider realigning the teeth, with extrusion of the laterals to better match the lengths of the centrals.

Any veneer or bonding you do is going to have the same effect of increasing the length of the tooth, not the width, since it doesn't look like you have space on either side to make the tooth wider. Also consider that once you do a restoration, you are likely committed to replacement throughout your lifetime, and that a veneer or bonding will always stain at a different rate than the rest of your teeth.

I thought it was because of the positioning also. I kept stressing that, however my orthodontist told me it's because of the size and there was nothing they could have done with the braces to change that. Prior to my braces coming off, I also raised my concerns with my dentist and he pretty much said the same thing. It could be a combination of the size being slightly smaller, and how my teeth were shifted and pushed back after extractions. My orthodontist spent many months (years actually) perfecting each and every tooth position, and this seems to be the best result possible from what I had.

Also I did have a fixed retainer to both the upper and lower arch, as well as a removable retainer. My teeth haven't shifted at all.

[lmk]

I know this thread is a few months old but I thought I'd comment since I had the same small laterals. My ortho extruded the laterals to better match the centrals. Big difference! I'm glad it was done with braces instead of bonding or veneers.

[Angel21]

I know this thread is a few months old but I thought I'd comment since I had the same small laterals. My ortho extruded the laterals to better match the centrals. Big difference! I'm glad it was done with braces instead of bonding or veneers.

If only that was possible for everyone! My ortho couldn't move mine any more without it being misaligned to the rest of the teeth.

[shed33]

you have the sexiest smile.... keep it !!!! im single, 41 Irish..... if your still single let me know :)

[pcspinheiro]

Lovely teeth as they are, don't touch them, that's my advice. I had the opposite, my Ortho pulled out my lateral incisors to pretty much the same length as my central ones and I'm gutted about this. Have already expressed my dislike and will have this changed back at some point. If you don't like it of course you should make them the way you like, but they really are lovely like this...