What is a peg (undersized) tooth?
A peg tooth is a tooth that came in narrower than normal, and it is most common in the lateral incisors next to the upper front teeth. When the lateral incisors are small, gaps open between the front teeth, or the lateral incisors look pointed and short. Small front teeth in general are also covered in How to make small front teeth bigger.
Small teeth have the advantage that there is space to add to, so less needs to be shaved. That does not mean every peg tooth can be enlarged without shaving.
Peg teeth are strongly influenced by genetics, so often someone else in the family has something similar. Sometimes only one side is small and sometimes both are, and it can also come together with the lateral incisor on the other side never coming in at all.
What are the conditions for enlarging a tooth without shaving?
I look at four things: tooth position, space, color, and bite.
| Check | Placed without shaving | Not placed |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Inside the line of the arch | Sticks forward or is rotated |
| Space | There is room to add width | Not enough room |
| Color | Can be covered with thin porcelain | Deeply dark |
| Bite | Front teeth are stable | Deep bite or tooth grinding |
There must also be no gum inflammation. Where inflammation remains, it is hard to fit the edges of the veneer precisely. The width to add is calculated in advance with a scan or model, and if the room is slightly short, we sometimes first open space between the neighboring teeth with orthodontics.
Do no-prep veneers really leave the tooth untouched?
It means the tooth is not shaved to create the shape, not that the surface is not touched at all. Before bonding, the surface is cleaned and very lightly refined so the bond holds well. When the veneer is removed later, the surface is also slightly refined as the adhesive is cleared away, so it is hard to say the tooth is exactly the same as at the start. More details are in Are no-prep veneers really not shaved at all?
When shouldn't a veneer be placed without shaving?
If a veneer is placed directly on a small tooth that is tilted forward or rotated, only the front looks thick and bulky. In that case, we first move the tooth with orthodontics or reshape it slightly within the enamel (the outer layer of the tooth) only. Shaving deeply beyond the enamel weakens the bond and shortens the lifespan.
On a very dark tooth, thin porcelain cannot cover it and the color underneath shows through. If there is an edge-to-edge bite, where the tips of the upper and lower front teeth meet, or tooth grinding, the thin porcelain can break first, so we address the biting force first.
Won't it look odd if only one side is done?
If only one side is small and its color is similar to the neighboring teeth, doing just one is fine. If the difference in width or length between left and right is large, we plan the other side as well. I look at the facial midline, the position of the canines, and the gum line visible when smiling together, because if only one side is brighter and longer, the small tooth on the other side actually stands out more.
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
I don't just add width. I first look at the ratio of width and length between left and right and whether the edge line when smiling matches the face. If the conditions fit, I enlarge the tooth with Brinate, which is placed without shaving, with no anesthesia and no temporary tooth. When only one tooth is done, it has to blend with the color of the neighboring teeth, so a hand-layered option is often the right fit.
| Brinate | How it is made | Thickness | Time | Price (per tooth) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Milled by machine | 0.3mm | Same day possible | ₩330,000 |
| Build-up | Layered by hand | 0.1mm | About 1 week | ₩550,000 |
| Platinum | Layered by hand | 0.1mm | About 2 weeks | ₩990,000 |
As of September 2026, VAT included (All fees). I also get requests to shave deeply because orthodontics feels like too much, but I do not choose methods that shave beyond the enamel.
Frequently asked questions
Can a peg tooth also be enlarged with resin?
Yes. Resin is finished in a single day and costs less, but over time it can stain and its edges can wear, so it may need to be refined again.
How many veneers do I need for peg teeth?
Often only the small teeth are done, but if the left-right proportions or color difference are large, the neighboring teeth are sometimes done as well. The number is decided by looking at the area visible when smiling.
Can I remove a bonded veneer at home?
No. The bond is strong, so forcing it off can chip the surface of the tooth. Removal is done only in the clinic.
