Finishing a Smile After Braces: Peg Lateral Treatment, A Case Study

Braces and aligners do an excellent job of straightening teeth — but alignment is only part of a balanced smile. Sometimes, even after orthodontic treatment, a smile still looks slightly incomplete because one or both lateral incisors are undersized.

This case study from SOL Dental Arts in Maspeth, Queens shows how conservative peg lateral treatment finished a post-orthodontic smile — refining the width and shape of small lateral teeth so the result looks balanced and complete.

What is a peg lateral?

A peg lateral is a lateral incisor — the tooth just beside a central front tooth — that is naturally smaller, narrower, or more pointed than usual. It is a common variation in tooth development. When a lateral incisor is undersized, it can leave the smile looking disproportionate or uneven, sometimes with small gaps, even when the teeth are otherwise healthy and well aligned.

The case: finishing the smile after braces

This patient had completed orthodontic treatment — the teeth were aligned — but the smile still looked unfinished because the lateral incisors remained too narrow relative to the central incisors and canines.

The plan was a conservative cosmetic refinement to complete the orthodontic result. By carefully building the width and shape of the small laterals, the team created teeth that look natural in proportion to the rest of the smile — a seamless enhancement, not an overdone one.

How peg lateral treatment works

A post-orthodontic peg lateral case at SOL Dental Arts follows a careful sequence:

• Smile analysis after orthodontic treatment — assessing proportion now that the teeth are aligned.

• Conservative, additive cosmetic enhancement of the peg laterals — building width and shape with tooth-colored material.

• Symmetry and proportion refinement in the smile zone — balancing the laterals against the centrals and canines.

• Final polish for a natural-looking result — finishing the surface so it reflects light naturally.

Because the enhancement is additive, it preserves natural tooth structure while completing the look that orthodontic treatment started.

When is peg lateral treatment a good fit?

When braces or aligners have straightened the teeth but the lateral incisors remain too narrow or peg-shaped, the smile can still appear uneven. Conservative cosmetic refinement is often the natural next step — it completes the orthodontic result without aggressive treatment. The right approach depends on how much width and shape the teeth need, which an evaluation will determine.

The result

By refining the undersized lateral incisors, this case completed the smile that orthodontics had aligned. A well-planned peg lateral case should:

• Improve overall smile symmetry

• Enhance tooth proportion in the smile zone

• Preserve natural tooth structure

• Create a more complete post-braces result

Frequently asked questions

What is a peg lateral?

A peg lateral is a lateral incisor that is naturally smaller or narrower than typical. Because of its size, it can make the smile look disproportionate, even when the teeth are healthy and aligned.

Do I need veneers for peg lateral treatment?

Not always. Some peg lateral cases can be improved with conservative composite bonding, while others may benefit from veneers, depending on the esthetic goals. An evaluation determines which is the better fit.

Can this be done after braces?

Yes. Post-orthodontic refinement is a very common next step — once braces or aligners have aligned the teeth, refining tooth size and shape completes the result.

Is the treatment conservative?

It can be. An additive approach builds onto the small teeth rather than removing structure, which makes peg lateral refinement one of the more conservative ways to balance a smile.

Finished braces but the smile still looks uneven?

If your teeth are straight but small lateral teeth are leaving your smile looking incomplete, conservative peg lateral treatment may be the finishing touch. Book a consultation with SOL Dental Arts in Maspeth, Queens — call (917) 983-4560 — and we will help you complete your smile.