Treating Worn Down Teeth
You already know that as you get older your knees are not as stable, your back is not as strong, and your skin starts to wrinkle. Just like your other body parts, your teeth start to show signs of aging as well. You use your teeth all day, every day so it is natural for them to wear as a result of that process.
Whether your teeth are showing signs of aging or they have worn down as a result of your diet or bruxism, they can leave you looking older than you are. Older and worn teeth can appear smaller, flatter, and darker, in pain, and uneven in your bite. Your teeth have a full thick layer of enamel on the surface to keep your tooth hard and the inner soft layers protected. Enamel can’t be regrown or replaced once it wears away so an alternative protective layer must be put in place to help your worn teeth.
All reasons for worn teeth including age, attrition, abrasion, and erosion are able to be treated with a few different options based on your specific problem and ultimate goals.
The first treatment option to help worn teeth is a dental crown. Not only is this one of the most common treatments for worn teeth, but it is used in a variety of other dental treatments to protect vulnerable or damaged teeth. The dentist will essentially create a covering that completely surrounds the remaining tooth. You may be familiar with crowns when it comes to treating pervasive tooth decay or root canals.
The next treatment option is dental bonding. The dentist may already have used this on your teeth when filling in the void left after removing decay. Dental bonding is tooth colored and easily moldable to be specifically placed for your worn tooth needs. The dentist uses the composite resin as an outer layer for the worn areas of your teeth and any other imperfections.
The other treatment option is veneers. The dentist uses a thin layer of porcelain placed on top of the tooth to change the color, shape, size, placement, and wear pattern on the tooth. Veneers are only placed on the front of the teeth and can change your whole smile without removing teeth or wearing braces. Veneers are most often used to treat cosmetic or aesthetic inconsistencies.
How do you know if your teeth are starting to show signs of wear? First, be sure to talk to the dentist at your next appointment. They will be able to give you an exam and suggested treatments for your specific needs. You may want to check for these signs if you are questioning the health of your teeth:
- Loss of enamel and outer layer of protection
- Increased sensitivity to hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks
- Changes to the shape, darker color, shorter length, flatter surface
- Chips
- Translucence where the tooth used to be opaque
Some cases of worn teeth can be prevented and all cases can be treated.