Short Teeth Appearance

Information Sections

Have a Question?

Short Teeth Appearance

1 / 3

An aesthetically displeasing condition where the shortness of the teeth results in what is referred to in dental terminology as 'short teeth' due to either excessive gum tissue covering the anatomic crown or from excessive mechanical loss (wearing down) of the crown's surface. The ideal relationship of the teeth within the mouth is based upon a ratio of their clinical crown visibility to the actual anatomic crown size. This ratio may be significantly disrupted if the anatomic crown has become significantly shorter than it should have been. Therefore, the overall effect on both the patient's smile and the patient's oral health will demonstrate proportionately short teeth with respect to the other features of the gum tissue and lip. Short teeth can contribute to a gummy smile (excessive gingival display) when soft tissue covers the anatomical crown or when severe wear reduces clinical crown height. While altered passive eruption involves soft tissue covering normal enamel, severe wear causes direct structural loss of enamel and dentin, increasing the risk of pulpal exposure. Similarly, in extreme cases, significant loss of the enamel layer through attrition can result in exposure of the softer dentin and potentially lead to an increased risk for pulp damage.

Quick Summary

2 / 3

Clinical Definition: Aesthetic condition resulting from reduced visual tooth height primarily due to excessive gingival (gum) coverage or excessive enamel wear.
Urgent Symptoms: Throbbing pain without stimulation, pink red spots inside the tooth indicating exposed pulp, temperature sensitivity, and/or spontaneous mobility of tooth.
Treatment Options: Laser gingivoplasty/crown lengthening surgery, Porcelain Veneer(s), High Translucent Zirconium Crown(s), Custom Nightguard(s).

Symptoms

3 / 3

The patient usually reports both a visual and tactile difference with regards to their short-toothed appearance:

Visual Characteristics: The teeth will have a square or be wider than they are high, and will have a misaligned or hypopigmented gumline.
Tactile Difference: When the patient consumes very hot Kerala payasam or very cold beverages, he/she will feel a sharp sensation at the location of the exposed dentin tubules, which can be described as a shock sensation.
Occlusal Differences: On the incisal edges (chewing surface) of the anterior teeth there will be a flat and shiny appearance.
Gingival Inflammatory Response: Bleeding upon mild brushing of the gums due to accumulation of food debris within deep pseudopockets formed by the altered passive eruption.

Short Teeth Appearance

Short Teeth Appearance

Quick Summary

Symptoms

Ebooks

Quick Question

Our Store