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"Peg Lateral" is the dental term use to describe a small or underformed lateral incisor. It is a surprisingly common anomaly that may present in one or both of the lateral incisors. On occasion, the lateral incisor may not even form at all. The presence of a smaller or peg-shaped lateral incisor usually detracts from the overall smile symmetry and fullness of a nice smile.
The options to correct underformed lateral incisors include small composite additions or complete composite or porcelain veneers. As these Peg Laterals are very small to begin with, it is important that any treatment provided is as conservative as possible, and that the treatment itself will not further damage these little teeth. We understand these limitations on treatment and thus work closely with our patients' treating Dentist, or Orthodontist, to conservatively restore the full size of these teeth and create a beautiful result.
This patient had composite veneers placed on her Peg Lateral Incisors when she was a young child. As time passed, these veneers became worn and stained and she asked us to replace them.
The old composite veneers were carefully removed to expose the original shape of the natural enamel underneath. Note the typical "peg-like" appearance of the tooth.
In order to simulate the natural tooth shape and colour, multiple layers of different colours of composite were used to buildup the peg laterals into their new form.
The addition of fine surface texture helps the composite veneer to reflect light like a natural tooth would. The new composite veneer shows a nicer overall size and shape than the previous version did.
The final result shows this young lady's smile enhanced with the simple and conservative re-treatment of her Peg Lateral Incisors
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This teenage girl had just finished her Orthodontics, which brought her teeth to their optimal position. However, this resulted in spacing on either side of her smaller than normal sized lateral incisors.
This photo shows that both of her lateral incisors are too narrow, and that veneers are required to correct their form.
This close-up photo shows the lateral incisors built back to their optimal size. Notice the fine white features in the adjacent natural teeth, have also been carefully reproduced in these composite veneers.
When all teeth are the right size and shape, and correctly aligned, the result is a beautiful and confident smile.