If You're Considering Orthodontics or Implants for a Peg Lateral Tooth

If you're considering an implant for a peg lateral tooth?

Hello. We are Gangnam Blanche Dental Clinic, dedicated to protecting our patients’ precious natural teeth.

Do you feel stressed every time you look in the mirror because the tooth next to your front tooth is unusually small?

This tooth, which looks tiny and pointed like a grain of rice, is called a 'peg lateral' in dental terminology.

Because of this peg lateral tooth, gaps can form between teeth, food can get stuck, and empty spaces may show when you smile, causing many people significant aesthetic concerns.

That is why many people visit the dentist with this concern.

"Doctor, can’t we just pull this small tooth and get an implant?"

"I heard that if we cover it with a crown, we have to grind down a lot of healthy tooth structure. Wouldn’t an implant be better?"

If you searched for this article and came here, you may also be seriously considering a 'peg lateral implant.'

But speaking as a practicing dentist, if the peg lateral has a healthy root that is still strong, there is no need to extract it and place an implant.

I wrote this article today for those who are considering a peg lateral implant or orthodontic treatment, so please take 3 minutes and read it through to the end.

Why people consider implants for peg lateral teeth

Peg lateral teeth most often occur in the

'lateral incisor' right next to the front teeth.

They are smaller than a normal tooth size,

and the tip may be pointed or curled inward,

making them look like a mouse tooth or a grain of rice.

Because the tooth is so small,

space tends to form around it,

which can easily throw the entire alignment out of balance.

✅ Gaps between teeth: Adjacent canines or front teeth may tip into the empty space or shift, causing the space between the front teeth to widen.

✅ Black triangle: Because the gum line does not align properly,

black gaps appear between the teeth.

✅ Aesthetic dissatisfaction: The visible empty space when smiling can lower confidence.

Because of these issues, people start considering peg lateral orthodontic treatment or implants.

What I want to emphasize is that an implant is a last resort that requires tooth extraction.

If the root is healthy, keeping and using the natural tooth is the standard approach.

Crown vs. orthodontics vs. implant? Another option: no-prep laminate veneers

There are several ways to address peg lateral teeth.

1. Crown treatment: A method that covers the entire tooth. To do this, a significant amount of healthy peg lateral tooth structure must be removed, but the shape can be made attractive.

2. Orthodontic treatment: The spaces can be closed, but the peg lateral tooth itself does not change its 'grain-of-rice-like shape.' In the end, dissatisfaction with the shape may remain even after orthodontic treatment.

3. Implant: There is a major burden because a healthy natural tooth must be extracted.

4. No-prep laminate veneers: After barely trimming the tooth, or only refining it at a minimal level, thin ceramic tips are bonded on top to make the shape and size look like a normal tooth.

I organized it in a table for easier understanding.

	Implant	No-prep laminate veneer
Principle	Extract the tooth and place an artificial root	Preserve the tooth and attach ceramic to the surface
Physical burden	Requires gum incision and bone removal surgery (anesthesia required)	No tooth reduction/minimal reduction (may be possible without anesthesia)
Treatment period	About 3 to 6 months (needs time for bone integration)	About 1 to 2 weeks (design and bonding)
Preservation of natural tooth	Not possible (a healthy root must be extracted)	Possible (keeps the root and nerve of your own tooth)
Suitable cases	When the tooth root is decayed or broken and cannot be saved	When the tooth root is healthy but the shape/size needs improvement

Were you looking into an implant estimate because of a small tooth or a peg lateral?

Pause for a moment, and first visit a nearby dental clinic to see whether there is a way to save your natural tooth.

Improving aesthetics is important, but above all, it is wise to consider a method that suits your own teeth and helps maintain healthy teeth.

A peg lateral is not a disease. It is simply a tooth that was born slightly smaller. Please do not remove or grind down your precious teeth carelessly.

I hope today’s content was helpful. This has been Gangnam Blanche Dental Clinic. Thank you.

Compliance with medical law and notice: This post was written directly by Blanche Dental Clinic to provide information about dental treatment.

The applicability of no-prep laminate veneers may vary depending on tooth alignment and occlusion, and in rare cases there may be a possibility of fracture or detachment, so sufficient consultation with the medical staff is necessary.