Teeth that look shorter, flatter or chipped along the edges are often worn by clenching or grinding, which many people do in their sleep without knowing. The first step is protecting the teeth, usually with a custom night guard, and looking at what drives the grinding. Once the wear is under control, worn teeth can be rebuilt with bonding, veneers or crowns.
How do I know grinding is wearing my teeth?
Sleep grinding often goes unnoticed, so the first sign may be what a dentist sees: flattened biting edges, worn or chipped spots along the edges of the front teeth, or small cracks. You may also notice a sore jaw or a headache on waking. Stress, sleep apnea, some medications, smoking, alcohol and caffeine are linked to grinding.
Why protect the teeth before rebuilding them?
Grinding puts the same force on new restorations as it did on natural teeth, so rebuilding worn teeth without dealing with the grinding risks chipping the new work. A custom-fitted night guard made by a dentist protects the teeth while you sleep and fits better than an over-the-counter guard. If a sleep disorder may be involved, your physician should look at that too.
How are worn teeth rebuilt?
The right repair depends on how much tooth has been lost:
- Bonding or contouring for small chips and uneven edges.
- Porcelain veneers or Lumineers to restore length and shape on the front teeth.
- Crowns, or inlays and onlays on back teeth, when wear has removed a lot of tooth structure or the teeth are cracked.
What does our office offer?
At our Deerfield Beach office we make custom mouth guards, including guards for teeth grinding, and restore worn teeth with cosmetic bonding, contouring and reshaping, porcelain veneers, Lumineers, dental inlays and onlays and porcelain crowns.
General information, not a diagnosis. Questions about your own teeth: call Dr. Angela Berkovich, DMD at (954) 427-3000. For facial swelling, a fever or trouble breathing or swallowing, seek urgent medical care.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic: Bruxism (Teeth Grinding): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy): Teeth Grinding and Jaw Pain
- Cleveland Clinic: Dental Crowns: Types, Procedure & Care