Why No-Prep Veneers Are Better Than Orthodontics for Peg-Shaped Teeth | A Case Review of Treatment for Gaps Between the Front Teeth

Hello, this is Apgujeong Yonsei Baro Dental Clinic. When there is a gap between the front teeth, most people think, “Couldn’t orthodontic treatment fix it?”

However, not every gap between the front teeth can be treated with orthodontics to achieve a satisfactory result.

Today, we would like to introduce the actual case of a patient whose gap between the front teeth, caused by small teeth (peg-shaped teeth), was naturally improved with no-prep veneers and gum contouring.

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The patient visited us for no-prep veneers because of gaps between the front teeth.

Q. Why did you choose no-prep veneers instead of orthodontics even though there were gaps between the front teeth?

The patient visited us because of the space between the front teeth.

At first, the patient considered orthodontic treatment, but a detailed examination showed that the issue was not simply a matter of space.

• The teeth were small.
• The teeth were peg-shaped, becoming narrower toward the bottom.
• The tooth color was also uneven.

In cases like this, no-prep veneers, which improve the shape of the teeth as well as close the spaces, can provide greater satisfaction than orthodontics, which only closes the spaces.

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In addition to the gaps, the tooth shape was not aesthetically pleasing and there were concerns about the color, so we decided on no-prep veneers rather than orthodontics.

The gum lines were asymmetrical from side to side, and the teeth were short, so we also decided to perform gum contouring before the veneers.

A quick look at tooth shape

After scanning the teeth with an intraoral scanner, we simulated how the spaces would look after being closed with orthodontic treatment.

Left: Before treatment / Right: Simulation after treatment

The orthodontic simulation looked like this.

Although the spaces between the teeth had been closed with orthodontics, the teeth still appeared spaced apart.

This was because the teeth were peg-shaped, becoming narrower toward the bottom.

In a case like this, satisfaction may not be high even if the spaces are brought together with orthodontics, so we recommend considering no-prep veneers from the beginning.

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Before / After gum contouring 23.12

After this, while waiting for the gums to heal, we began preparations for the fitting.

Canines are naturally one shade yellower than the front teeth.

For this reason, no-prep veneers are generally recommended for at least six teeth, including the canines.

However, the patient wanted veneers only on the four front teeth, excluding the canines.

Therefore, we decided to make a final decision after the fitting, taking into account the appearance with veneers on only the four front teeth and the difference in color between them and the canines.

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This is how the four front teeth looked with the fitting one week later.

The color difference from the canines was not as noticeable as expected, so we decided to proceed with only four teeth as the patient wished.

The patient also felt that the edges of the front teeth looked too closed off, so we made adjustments and modified their length to harmonize with the lip line when smiling.

Once the shape was completed to the patient’s satisfaction, we proceeded with the fabrication of the no-prep veneers.

After waiting another 10 days, the veneers in the shape the patient wanted were ready.

This is why we perform a fitting in advance to confirm the design.

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The veneers in the shape the patient wanted finally arrived.

They were bonded after treating only the tooth surfaces, without reducing the teeth.

From the front,

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They also look natural from the side.

Since the canines are the patient’s natural teeth, their shade is darker. For now, we decided to address this with whitening, and no-prep veneers can also be added to the canines later if the patient wishes.

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Treatment Summary

✔ Improved gaps between the front teeth

✔ Improved the shape of the peg-shaped teeth

✔ Gum contouring performed as part of the treatment

✔ Four no-prep veneers placed

✔ Design confirmed through a fitting before fabrication

✔ Natural, understated result

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Initial visit – Immediately after gum contouring – After the veneers

The result is natural and satisfying without looking excessive.

Closing

No-prep veneers are not simply a treatment for making teeth whiter.

To achieve the most natural result, the size and proportions of the teeth, the gum line, and even the lip line when smiling all need to be considered together.

If you are concerned about gaps between your front teeth or small teeth, please first receive an accurate diagnosis to determine whether orthodontics or no-prep veneers are appropriate for you.