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What is Tooth Wear?
A worn denture, or more simply worn teeth, is a condition in which a patient experiences progressive loss of a tooth surface due to actions beyond caries or dental trauma. It is usually the result of friction between the teeth and corrosion.
Bruxism is a major cause of gritted and broken teeth, as well as headaches, jaw and tooth pain.
In many cases, those who suffer from tooth wear may feel unattractive and may have strong insecurities, as worn teeth can give an aged look to the face.
While it is natural for teeth to wear out as you age and the teeth become shorter and darker, which is more of a concern.
At Aesthetic Dental Clinic Galani we follow the WATCH strategy (Water, Acids & alcohol, Taste, Calcium, Health), to find the cause, prevent and treat decayed and damaged teeth.
Symptoms and causes of Tooth wear
Worn teeth is when the outer surfaces of the teeth (enamel and / or dentin) are lost due to the wear and tear of the teeth.
Symptoms include:
- Broken and worn teeth
- Tooth sensitivity
- Pain in the jaws and chewing muscles
- Headache
- Ear pain
- Pain in the buccal aspect inside the cheek
- Teeth look more transparent
- Teeth look darker
How Do Teeth Wear?
However, there are some factors that can aggravate this irreversible loss that leads to increased tooth decay.
The loss of tooth substance (enamel and dentin) may be due to mechanical factors, such as an unbalanced bite, teeth worn out by grinding or attrition (Bruxism), jaw problems or missing back teeth and, consequently, increased chewing forces on the anterior teeth. But it is also evident in people who have a bad habit of using their teeth to bite and / or chew on objects that are not intended to be chewed / bitten (eg pens, nails, etc.).
Alternatively, corrosion or erosion of teeth can be caused by chemical agents such as acid damage with acidic foods and beverages. Erosion is common in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD or GERD) or eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Corrosion is also evident in people with dry mouth syndrome (dry mouth), as reduced salivary flow increases the acid content in the mouth and leads to worn dentures.
Also brushing with a hard toothbrush and with force can cause loss of the substance, on the front side, of the teeth.
Brushing with a hard toothbrush can become even more destructive if combined with tooth attrition or chemical agents.
Treatment of Damaged, Worn and Eroded Teeth
Treatment involves finding the right occlusion that is in harmony with the joint and muscles.
Often a simple procedure can improve your appearance, oral function, health and confidence.
Treatments include:
- Tooth Crowns: As the crown covers the entire tooth, the treatment will hide any imperfections caused by short and irregular teeth. Dental crowns are thick caps placed over damaged teeth, which cover, maintain and protect the underlying tooth. Materials to choose from include porcelain, metals and ceramics.
- Porcelain Veneers: Thinner than a Crown, a Frame covers the front surface of the tooth and not the entire tooth. Acting similarly to a Crown, the Veneer is used to hide any imperfections without changing the existing tooth.
- Composite Veneers: A composite tooth-colored resin used on one or more teeth to repair damage – perhaps the most preferred of other cosmetic dental treatments to repair worn or eroded teeth.
May cause serious oral health problems
Worn teeth can tend to be an aesthetic issue, but as the wear progresses, it can begin to affect your occlusion and bite, and even contribute to Temporomandibular joint (TMD) disorder, which in itself causes headaches, neck and back pain.
Once the outer surface (enamel) is lost from your teeth, the softer layer, called dentin, will be revealed. Those who are at this stage will find their teeth wear at a much faster rate and tooth loss can be common.
In addition, if left untreated, worn teeth can lead to further deterioration and long-term problems, such as increased sensitivity of the teeth, infection and difficulties with the restoration of teeth / fillings / crowns in the future.
If the problem persists for a long time, then the patient may find his future treatments more expensive and complicated. While these issues could otherwise have been avoided if the issue had been addressed earlier.
Aesthetic Dental Clinic Galani is here to help you identify the cause of Worn Teeth, to provide you with a preventive course of action and to work with you to find the best possible Treatment plan option based on your personal needs. When applied by a specialized dentist, both Composite / Porcelain Veneers and Dental Crowns are effective ways to restore the appearance and function of worn teeth. However, your suggested solution will be determined when the Treatment Plan is completed after thorough intraoral and x-ray examination following the WATCH strategy (Water, Acids & alcohol, Taste, Calcium, Health).
It all starts with a small step – Aesthetic Dental Clinic Galani.
