Full Mouth Rehabilitation

Tooth wear is a dental condition where the surface and structure of teeth are progressively reduced as a result of internal and/or external forces placed upon them.

When hard tooth material is worn away as a result of teeth grinding and/or clenching, it is called attrition. The extent of wear damage depends on the amount of grinding and is typically more severe in individuals who exhibit this behavior in their sleep.

The reduction of hard tooth material due to chemical forces is called erosion. It can be caused by drinking acidic beverages like soda or by medical conditions like acid reflux or bulimia. Over time, this acid dissolves the outer enamel of the teeth and can expose the softer underlying dentin layer. Wear caused by an outside object is called abrasion. Abrasion can be caused by improper tooth brushing technique, excessive use of toothpicks, and the use of the teeth as a tool. It can result in grooves and notches in the enamel that can also expose the dentin.

Excessive tooth wear causes many oral health complications, including unattractive and irregular tooth levels, jagged and sharp tooth edges, tooth pain, and eventual loss of the teeth altogether.

As the harder outer surface of the tooth is worn away, the softer dentin will be exposed, speeding up the process.

There are preventative and corrective treatment options for patients experiencing tooth wear issues. Treatment will vary based on the cause of wear and when it is detected, making it critical to work closely with your doctor to proactively treat the issue before more damage is sustained.

Dental erosion is a condition where tooth structure is lost due to corrosion, chemical reactions dissolving the hard protective coating of the teeth, known as enamel. Common signs and symptoms of dental erosion include tooth sensitivity, tooth discoloration, tooth breakdown, thinning and transparency of the edges of the front teeth, and pitting and cupping on the chewing surfaces of back teeth.

The most common cause of dental erosion is the overabundance of acid inside of the mouth. It can be introduced externally by drinking acidic beverages such as soda and fruit juice and can be introduced internally by medical conditions that introduce stomach acids into the mouth, such as acid reflux or bulimia. Over time, this acid dissolves enamel and exposes the softer inner layer called dentin, making the teeth weaker, more sensitive, and potentially prone to decay.

In addition, once the softer dentin is exposed, the pace of the wear can accelerate dramatically. This weakened structure can also increase the likelihood of severe cracks or fractures in your teeth.

Excessive tooth erosion causes many oral health complications, including discoloration, unattractive and irregular tooth levels, uncoordinated chewing movements, jagged and sharp tooth edges, tooth pain, and eventual loss of the teeth altogether.

There are preventative and corrective treatment options for patients showing signs of erosion. Treatment will vary based on the underlying cause, the severity of the erosion, and the extent of tooth damage, making it critical to work closely with your doctor to proactively treat the issue before more damage occurs.

Compensatory eruption is a condition defined by the shortening and vertical movement of teeth caused by grinding and tooth wear.

As a patient grinds their teeth, over time tooth structure is worn away. As the teeth shorten, they naturally shift vertically towards the opposing teeth to occupy the space that is created between the upper and lower teeth to maintain a functional bite.

When this vertical movement occurs, the gums and bone surrounding the teeth also shift, resulting in what is commonly referred to as a gummy smile.

If treatment is not sought, the teeth will continue to become shorter due to wear, requiring more extensive and costly treatment to remedy.

There are multiple options available to reposition and restore teeth affected by compensatory eruption. Your doctor will work with you to assess your unique situation and develop a solution that best restores the position, appearance, and function of your teeth.