We frequently welcome patients who feel frustrated after undergoing extensive orthodontic treatment, only to be left with a result they do not love. Recently, a patient visited Matt Dash Dentist after spending several years at another practice. Despite having a long history of wearing braces as both a child and an adult, she remained unhappy with the final aesthetic of her smile. One tooth remained significantly out of alignment, and her canines felt visually dominant. She also felt she had a very narrow smile, which was exacerbated by ‘skinny’ peg-shaped lateral incisors.
Designing The Final Result First
After experiencing orthodontic fatigue, the patient politely declined further tooth straightening and ICON treatment to hide white spots on her teeth. You might find our previous discussion on whether you should straighten your teeth before getting veneers helpful if you are facing a similar dilemma.
An essential part of our workflow is removing the guesswork from dentistry. We provided multiple digital smile design simulations prior to treatment, ensuring we had completely agreed on the final aesthetic result before beginning the clinical work.
The Restorative Solution
To hide the misalignment and soften the dominant appearance of the smile, we carefully recontoured the upper right canine. We then placed bespoke composite veneers on the premolars and the lateral incisors, alongside some composite bonding to improve overall smile symmetry. This approach beautifully widened her smile and corrected the proportions of the peg-shaped teeth without the need for invasive drilling or years of additional orthodontics. If you are looking to explore aesthetic improvements, you can discover more independent guidance through the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. We also invite you to explore your own bespoke options via our Complimentary E-Consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you widen a narrow smile without braces?
Composite or porcelain veneers can be used to build out the sides of your teeth, such as the premolars, which visually widens the smile and creates a fuller appearance without orthodontic treatment.
Can pointy canine teeth be reshaped?
Yes, dominant or pointy canines can often be flattened with composite bonding to soften their appearance and help them blend more naturally with the rest of your smile.
What is a peg shaped lateral incisor?
A peg lateral is a condition where the adult tooth next to the central incisor does not develop fully, appearing unusually small or thin. Composite bonding or veneers can easily restore its natural size and shape.
About Matt Dash Dentist
Matt Dash is an award-winning private dentist based at Edinburgh Dental Studio in Edinburgh’s West End. He focuses on natural and age-appropriate cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including composite bonding, porcelain veneers, and tooth straightening.
