Peg-shaped Laterals

Peg lateral teeth, or peg lateral incisors, are terms used to describe a condition where the lateral incisors (the second tooth on either side of the front teeth) are undersized, conical and appear smaller than normal. This situation occurs when the permanent lateral incisors do not fully develop. Since peg lateral incisors are undersized, many times there will be a space between them and the adjacent teeth (this space normally would have been occupied by a fully developed lateral incisor).This resultant space the smile to appear abnormal. There are several ways to treat and correct this condition. Porcelain veneers are the most common treatment for peg lateral incisors, and require little or no tooth preparation.  A porcelain shell is simply bonded over the smaller peg laterals making the teeth appear normal in size. If not enough space exists, it can be created by orthodontic treatment.