If I have a peg shaped lateral incisor and a missing lateral incisor on the other side and I get braces, can I get it removed?

Question

I have a peg shaped lateral incisor on my left side and a missing lateral incisor on the other side. I am planning to get braces. Will my peg shaped tooth get removed and the braces close the gap of the removed teeth?

Brad Lockhart, DDS · Answer

If you were my patient, the goal would be to open space sufficiently to replace your missing lateral incisor with a dental implant and create sufficient space to enlarge your peg lateral incisor with a veneer. Extracting your peg lateral would require a second dental implant which is not necessary; or worse, would require moving your canine teeth into the lateral incisors' position then reshaping the canines to look like laterals. This option is much worse because it will give you a narrow, more unattractive smile and will compromise your final bite.

Good luck!

Good luck!

Doug Depew, DMD, MS - Account Suspended · Answer

The best plan for addressing your situation depends on several factors.  The primary one is what category your bite is.  It may be fine to remove the lateral incisor and close the spaces up, IF you have an overjet, where the upper incisors are way in front of lower.  However, if your bite is edge to edge, or even in an underbite, it would be best to open up space to have an implant placed for the missing one and a crown placed on the peg tooth.  Another factor is the size, shape, and color of the canine teeth.  Will they look fine beside the central incisor if the space is closed?  Will they need to be shape or built-up to look like a lateral incisors?  Careful planning by an orthodontic specialist is essential here.

If I have a peg shaped lateral incisor and a missing lateral incisor on the other side and I get braces, can I get it removed?

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