Should the right lateral incisor be shortened? (photos)

Question

I just got it done, it's a porcelain veneer and something just doesn't seem to fit well with the rest of my teeth. My canines are short and angled and I already had orthodontic treatment twice so it's not an option to fix the canines. I asked my dentist to trim the incisors but she said can't do anymore and said it'll make my front two teeth even bigger looking... I need a second opinion cuz I still think it should be shorter.

Paula S. Gould, DDS · Answer

Am I missing something here? I hope you have a flipper to wear to keep the space opened and replace # 10. Then we can have a discussion about the length of all your front teeth. Without a flipper, or ultimately an implant or other type of bridge replacing #10, so that there are 6 front teeth to evaluate, it isn't a proper question.  The front 4 teeth require symmetry, and an evaluation of your Full Face, not just your teeth.  In fact, # 8 and # 9 appear to be very long, and can be shortened, even if they are natural teeth. Yes, then # 7, the right lateral is too long.  It probably feels funny to you because the bite is not properly adjusted when you move your lower teeth forward.  I bet you have a lot of pressure on the front  3 teeth in this position. Patients have to be comfortable speaking and moving teeth from front to back and side to side without pressure....it's the patient who first feels something is not right....and it probably isn't.The only way I would be able to tell you a proper length is, with your speech, and excursive movements....are you able to move front to back and side to side with a properly adjusted bite.  Without that adjustment, you risk cracking your new laminate or knocking it so much that it moves, and the tooth gets loose.Again.....why don't you have the left lateral, or something in its place? All of your front  teeth will develop spaces, and drift, if something is not placed there.Then I can talk..... And see your pretty full face to evaluate!

Neville Richter, DDS · Answer

I'm tending to agree with you that the lateral incisor should be shorter by about a millimeter.  But the larger question is why the canine is so short.I think you need an analysis of the "smile zone" to determine the right proportions of the front top six teeth.My next question is why you needed orthodontics twice--this raises a red flag with me and I suspect a foundational problem with the temporomandibular joint being unstable.

Susan Hollinsworth, DDS (retired) · Answer

I agree with you that the temporary length looked better for your face and teeth. If the dentist cannot shorten the veneer any more because of thinness, then it would need to be redone and prepped shorter. the veneer also seems more flat or square on the sides whereas your front teeth are much more rounded. This would soften the look and if the front teeth seemed a little long ,they probably could be shortened slightly.Good luck

Thomas Roberts, DDS (retired) · Answer

In my opinion the tooth is slightly long and perhaps even more important, is more square than your central incisor.  Your dentist should be able to shorten the tooth slightly and round off these corners and I think it will make a significant difference.  Your lateral incisor is slightly too wide (not your dentist's fault) due to the space present so if the tooth is shortened too much it will start to look square so a slow approach is a good idea.  Good luck!

Should the right lateral incisor be shortened? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Aznyean

Answer: Aznyean

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Should the right lateral incisor be shortened? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Aznyean

Answer: Aznyean

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Porcelain Veneers

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.