If your teeth are small or you have one or a few small teeth, you might be wondering if you can put braces on your small teeth and whether it will work.
In this article, we’ll know about it and also take a closer look at how braces can help improve the appearance of small teeth and whether they’re the right solution for you.
Can you put braces on small teeth?
Braces can be placed on small teeth. However, the size and shape of your teeth will play a role in determining the type of braces that can be used.
For example, if your teeth are very small, your orthodontist may recommend mini or micro braces, which are smaller than traditional metal braces.
In some cases, your orthodontist may also recommend using ceramic braces or invisible aligners to help improve the appearance of your smile.
Do braces work on small teeth?
Now, you know that you can put braces on small teeth. But, the next question that comes to your mind is if braces work on small teeth.
Braces can work on small or narrow teeth if they are properly placed. However, there might be some problems.
One is that it’s hard for your orthodontist to put braces on small or narrow teeth. If the brackets and wires don’t fit well on smaller teeth, it makes it more difficult to move them into the correct position.
Another problem is creating spaces between teeth. When teeth are small or narrow, it might create space between teeth after the tooth movement.
That being said, braces can still help to improve the appearance of your smile and make your
teeth look straighter.
Things to consider before getting braces on small teeth
However, there are some factors that you need to keep in mind before getting braces on small teeth.
1. Types of braces
First, the size of your teeth may affect the type of braces that can be used. For example, traditional metal braces may not be an option if your teeth are very small. In that case, you might need mini brackets.
2. Facial appearance
Many people don’t like how they and their teeth look after wearing braces. Some of them become more concerned about their appearance when they have small teeth.
This is because small teeth make the braces more visible. If you are one of them, you might consider an alternative to braces.
Your orthodontist may propose clear ceramic braces or invisible aligners in this scenario.
3. Taking extra care of braces
If you have very small teeth, you may need to be extra careful to avoid breakage or damage to the braces.
In addition, the bracket may come off easily from tiny teeth. So, be cautious when you eat or brush your teeth.
4. The cost of braces
The cost of braces can vary depending on the type of braces, the severity of your case, and other factors. In general, traditional metal braces tend to be the most affordable option.
However, if you need a special component or brackets for small teeth such as extrusion of the small tooth, it can add to the cost.
5. The duration of treatment
Treatment time can also be affected by the size of your teeth. In some cases, it may take longer to achieve results if your teeth are small. It is especially true when we have to pull the small tooth out into occlusion.
The length of time you’ll need to wear braces also varies depending on the severity of your case. Usually, most people need to wear braces for about two years.
6. Discomfort
Usually, braces hurt your teeth and gums for the first few days. The same things will happen to your small teeth when you first get braces. Moreover, brackets can irritate the gum of your small teeth more than other teeth.
Do small teeth affect braces?
The size of your teeth does not necessarily affect braces. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, if you have small teeth, you may need to get custom braces made in order to ensure a good fit.
Second, if your teeth are small because of partial tooth eruption, you might need a special approach and attachment to fix that.
Lastly, if your teeth are very close together, you may need to get special spacers in order to put the braces on. All of these things will be determined by your orthodontist.
Common problems after getting braces on small teeth
There are some common problems that can occur after getting braces on small teeth.
1. Swelling and bruising
You may experience swelling and bruising around your mouth after getting braces. This is because your orthodontist will need to move your teeth into the right position, which can put pressure on the surrounding tissues.
It can also occur in your small teeth and their surrounding structures.
However, the swelling and bruising should go away after a few days.
2. Gum irritation
Another thing to keep in mind is that braces can cause gum irritation. This is more likely to occur if you have small teeth. In this case, brackets might sometime hurt your gum.
And, if the bracket touches the margin of the gum, the bracket may rub and irritate the gum. Sometimes, it may bleed.
However, the orthodontist will ensure that it doesn’t hurt your small tooth and gum when they attach the brackets.
3. Soreness
You may also feel soreness in your mouth, teeth, and gums after getting braces. This is normal and will go away within a few days. Small teeth also go through the same process of soreness.
4. Discomfort
It’s normal to feel some discomfort after getting braces. This is because your teeth are moving and adjusting to the braces.
The discomfort can be more pronounced in small teeth since they’re tiny in structure and move a greater distance. However, the discomfort should go away within a week or two.
5. Bracket falling off small teeth
It’s also common for the bracket to fall off small teeth. This is because the bracket is usually small in size and can come off easily.
Sometimes, when you bite, the opposing tooth may hit the bracket of your small tooth and cause it to fall off.
In addition, the bracket may not be as well-attached to the small tooth as it is to other teeth. So, it’s important to be careful when eating or brushing your teeth.
If the bracket falls off, you can contact your orthodontist to have it reattached.
6. Difficulty eating
Some people may have difficulty eating after getting braces. This is because the brackets and wires can rub against your lips and cheeks, which can be painful.
You may also find it hard to bite and chew food. In this case, you can try eating softer foods or cutting your food into smaller pieces.
7. Difficulty speaking
You may also have difficulty speaking after getting braces. This is because the brackets and wires can get in the way of your tongue, which can make it hard to produce certain sounds.
Alternatives to traditional braces for small teeth?
If you’re not interested in braces on your small teeth to correct your malocclusion or if you want to avoid the potential problems associated with them, there are a few alternatives to consider.
1. Invisalign
Invisalign is a type of clear aligner that can be used to straighten teeth. It’s nearly invisible, so it’s a good option if you’re concerned about the appearance of traditional braces.
2. Ceramic braces
Ceramic braces are made of clear or tooth-colored materials, so they’re less visible than metal braces. So, your small teeth can’t be noticed easily.
3. Lingual braces
Lingual braces are placed on the back of your teeth, so they’re not visible. However, they can be more difficult to clean and maintain. And, it may cause more discomfort than other types of braces.
Can braces fix small teeth?
Braces can fix small teeth that are not fully erupted. This process is called orthodontic extrusion where the orthodontist will put brackets and wire to pull the tooth out. However, if your teeth have fully erupted and your teeth are small naturally, braces can’t help fix that.
But, if you have crooked teeth, spacing, or other orthodontic problems, you can get braces even if your teeth are small.
So, how do you fix small teeth without braces?
In some cases, simple techniques like tooth bonding or dental veneers can help improve the appearance of small teeth. However, if your teeth are small, it’s better to let them as it is.
If you have other problems like malocclusion or getting hurt in your mouth due to small teeth, you should talk to an orthodontist or a dentist about that.
How to fix small teeth?
Before you know how to fix small teeth, you need to know what’s it.
Small teeth or microdontia is a dental condition characterized by teeth that are smaller than normal. This can affect one tooth, several teeth, or all of the teeth. In most cases, the incisors (front teeth) are affected.
Microdontia can occur as an isolated condition or be associated with other abnormalities of the teeth and jaws.
Treatment for microdontia depends on the severity of the condition. In some cases, no treatment is necessary.
In other cases, dental bonding, veneers, or crowns may be used to improve the appearance of the teeth. If the roots of the teeth are malformed, surgery may be needed to correct the problem.
If you have small teeth and you need to fix them to improve your look, you can have one of the following treatments.
1. Dental veneers
Dental veneers are a type of dental restoration that can be used to improve the appearance of your teeth. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that cover the front surface of your teeth.
If you need to improve the look of your narrow or small front teeth, you can consult a dentist to get the dental veneer.
2. Dental bonding
Another dental restoration that can be utilized to enhance the look of your teeth is dental bonding. It’s a procedure in which a tooth-colored resin is bonded to your teeth to improve their appearance.
3. Dental crowns
You can also opt for dental crowns to cover your small teeth and make them look bigger.
Dental crowns are also known as caps, and they are placed over the tooth to improve its appearance.
However, keep in mind that dental crowns are not suitable for all teeth and your tooth needs to be drilled away greatly to place the crown.
4. Gum reshaping
Gum reshaping is a procedure in which your gum tissue is sculpted to improve the appearance of your smile. This can be done to reduce the appearance of gummy smiles or to make your teeth look longer.
So, if you have small teeth and you are a good candidate for this treatment, you might have it.
If you have small teeth and you want to fix them, you can consult a dentist to see which treatment is suitable for you.
5. Braces
If your small tooth hasn’t come into occlusion fully, and you want to improve its appearance, you can opt for braces.
Orthodontic extrusion is a process in which brackets and wires are used to pull the teeth out. However, keep in mind that this process can be painful and it will take some time before you see the results.
Moreover, if your teeth are small from birth, braces can’t help fix them.
6. Invisalign
Similar to braces, you can get Invisalign to align your small teeth properly. However, Invisalign is more expensive than braces and the results usually take longer to show, sometimes.
How can braces help improve the appearance of small teeth?
One of the main benefits of braces is that they can help improve the alignment of your teeth, which can in turn help improve the appearance of your smile. Moreover, braces can help your small teeth that aren’t fully erupted.
In addition, if your teeth are small and/or misaligned, braces can help to correct these problems and give you a straighter, more symmetrical smile.
Braces can also help to close gaps between teeth, which can also improve the overall appearance of your smile.
Can braces fit on small teeth?
Usually, braces can fit on small teeth. There are a few different types of braces that are available, which means that there is likely a type of braces that will fit your small teeth. In some cases, people with small teeth may need to get custom braces made in order to ensure a good fit.
Talk to your orthodontist about which type of braces would be best for you.
Another factor is if you have a small tooth due to partial tooth eruption. In that case, braces can help to push the tooth up into place.
What if your teeth are too small for braces?
Having small teeth can be a cosmetic concern for many people, as it can affect the symmetry of your smile. If you are considering braces but your teeth are too small, there are a few things you can do.
First, you can talk to your orthodontist about possible solutions. They may be able to adjust the size of the brackets or use a different type of braces that will not put as much pressure on your teeth.
When most people think of braces, they envision a mouth full of metal wires and brackets. However, there are many different types of braces available today, and each case is unique.
If your teeth are too small for traditional braces, you may be a candidate for mini braces. Mini braces are about half the size of regular braces, and they use much thinner wires.
As a result, they are much less visible and less likely to cause discomfort. If you are concerned about the appearance of your teeth, mini braces may be the right choice for you.
Can small teeth be made bigger with braces?
Braces can be used to make small teeth appear larger. This is done by attaching the braces to the teeth and using them to move the teeth into the proper position. This can give the illusion of larger teeth, and it can also help to correct any alignment issues that may be present.
However, braces can truly make your small teeth bigger when orthodontic extrusion is done.
In this case, braces can be used to increase the size of small teeth. By attaching brackets and wires to the teeth, the braces can slowly move them into the desired position.
This process can take several months to a year, depending on the severity of the case.
Are braces the right solution for your small teeth?
The decision of whether or not to get braces for small teeth is a personal one and will depend on a number of factors, such as your orthodontic needs and goals, your budget, and your personal preferences.
If you’re considering braces for your small teeth, be sure to talk to your orthodontist about all of your options and what would work best for you.
Conclusion
Overall, braces can still be effective on small teeth. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before getting braces, such as the type of braces, the cost, and the duration of treatment.
If you have small teeth and they aren’t fully erupted, braces and orthodontic treatment can also fix it. Besides that, when you have small teeth that are misaligned or gapped, braces can also help align your teeth and correct your bite.
But, if you have no other problems and you want to make your small teeth bigger, braces might not help you.
So, be sure to talk to your orthodontist about the best option for you.
