Pegged teeth (also known as peg teeth or microdontia) refers to those with a cone-shaped appearance that are significantly smaller than typical teeth. This condition typically affects one or both of your lateral incisors, which are found on the sides of your two front teeth in the top and bottom rows. It’s rare to have this condition affect all of your teeth.
Types of pegged teeth include:
- Partial microdontia: Refers to only some of your teeth having a small size.
- Generalized microdontia: Refers to all of your teeth having a small size.
- Relative microdontia: Refers to average-sized teeth appearing to be small relative to those with a large jawbone.
What Causes Pegged Teeth?
Because pegged teeth refer to their appearance and not an exact underlying condition, they have various distinct causes.
Causes of pegged teeth may include:
- Inherited genetic traits from your parents
- Ectodermal dysplasia
- Williams syndrome
- Hutchinson’s teeth from congenital syphilis
- Genetic disorders
- Developmental and congenital issues
Treatment Methods
Fortunately, a pegged tooth often does not present any health concerns or symptoms.
Options to restore or replace pegged teeth may include:
- Crowns
- Veneers
- Bridges
- Bonding and reshaping
