Treatment For Accelerated Loss Of Tooth Enamel
If you receive a diagnosis of worn teeth, you are not alone. In fact, the American Dental Association estimates that 97% of adults experience this condition. While minimal loss of enamel is age-related and often requires no intervention, accelerated wear is a complex problem that can lead to a host of serious dental issues. Enamel loss exposes the sensitive inner dentin layer, leaving your tooth susceptible to decay. Worn teeth also alter your appearance and can lead to an uneven bite.
What Causes Worn Dentition?
The three primary causes of worn dentition are known as attrition, abrasion, and erosion. Attrition refers to wear and tear caused by physical tooth-on-tooth contact. This is the form of loss commonly associated with bruxism and TMJ disorder. Abrasion refers to physical wear caused by objects other than the teeth. This could include chewing on ice, vigorous tooth brushing, or contact with other hard objects. Erosion occurs when chemicals dissolve the enamel. This can occur with highly acidic food and drink, gastric reflux disorders, or regurgitation. Most people with significantly worn dentition experience a combination of all three factors.
Treating Your Worn Dentition
Fortunately, routine dental checkups can help identify and manage accelerated wear and tear on your smile. By meeting with us regularly, we can help correct worn dentition in its initial stages. For example, if we detect a bruxism habit, we can design a custom night guard to protect your teeth while you sleep. Once we control the cause of your worn dentition, we can discuss cosmetic procedures to restore your smile. These options include dental crowns, veneers, and bonding that return your smile’s natural beauty.
Talk To Your Leawood, KS, Dentist About Managing Your Worn Dentition
Identifying worn dentition is the first step toward correcting your damaged teeth. Our cosmetic treatments can help rejuvenate your smile and protect it from further wear and tear. To schedule a consultation with us, call Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS, today at 913-681-5500. We also serve patients who live in Overland Park, South KC, South OP, Martin City, MO, and all surrounding communities.
