Hello!
I am 37 years old and still have a 'baby' upper right canine. An X-ray showed that my permanent tooth is positioned horizontally and lies hidden high in the gum. I have never had any problems with the tooth or any pain, so it is as though I did not have a permanent tooth in the jaw at all. FOR AESTHETIC REASONS (it is a small tooth compared with the others), I would like to lengthen it or have a normal-sized tooth like the canine on the left side of the jaw.
IS THE ONLY SOLUTION TO EXTRACT THE TOOTH AND MAKE A BRIDGE? WOULD THE DENTIST HAVE TO GRIND DOWN TWO ADJACENT TEETH (the lateral incisor and first premolar), OR IS THERE A POSSIBILITY OF 'HANGING' (attaching) THIS TOOTH TO ONLY ONE TOOTH? I would rather not damage both adjacent teeth.
Is it possible to attach a veneer to the baby tooth and correct its shape that way?
I am also considering veneers on the upper four teeth. Do you think these procedures are performed well in Slovenia? On TV I watch various makeover programmes that include aesthetic transformation of people's teeth. Beautiful, completely natural... and it makes me long for the same. I ask myself why I should not make myself happy with such a smile too. But I am afraid that I might not be satisfied with myself and then regret it for the rest of my life. I care very much about aesthetics.
Thank you for your answer and kind regards.
B.

Dear Madam!

The options for aesthetic correction of an upper canine are as follows:
-If the root of the deciduous canine is still sufficiently long (not resorbed) and the pulp chamber (the hollow part of the dental crown containing vessels and nerves) does not extend into the area that must be prepared for a crown, it is possible to make a crown on the tooth that would be aesthetically appropriate. In this case, the X-ray must not indicate pericoronal changes around the impacted permanent canine (formation of a cyst and consequent bone resorption around the permanent tooth).
-If the conditions do not meet the facts listed above, the deciduous canine must be removed for correction. The permanent canine can be pulled out of the bone with an orthodontic appliance and fenestration of the bone if its position in the bone is suitable. If not, it can be left in the bone (the X-ray must not indicate any future problems). If the X-ray raises suspicion of possible pathology, the permanent canine is also removed.
-The canine can be replaced with a bridge (both neighbouring teeth are prepared). Only in rare cases can we make a cantilever crown or an adhesive bridge, in which only one neighbouring tooth is prepared or even only shallow grooves are made for rests.
-If the neighbouring teeth are intact, I would certainly recommend a dental implant in the position of the missing canine.

Veneers are made to a high standard in our country; the decision to have them made is subjective.

We look forward to your visit.