Tooth wear is quite typical among elderly patients due to the daily use of teeth for mastication. However, some people present worn teeth from a younger age. This premature wear is due to an involuntary habit called bruxism, which is when patients grind their teeth unconsciously in their sleep to liberate daily stress. This clenching or grinding can episodically reach very high intensities during the patient’s sleep. Therefore, it’s not surprising that these patients develop tooth wear at an early age or that they start to present fissures and small dental fractures due to the premature weakening of their teeth.
So, how can we avoid dental wear? The answer isn’t a simple one, but one thing is clear: in order to recover worn teeth, one must start by avoiding bruxism. As previously mentioned, bruxism is a habit generated by stress, meaning that if we reduce our stress, we will reduce our bruxism and, in consequence, dental wear. However, our current lifestyle doesn’t give us many chances to moderate our stress levels, so we will have to turn to other methods.
Currently, the solution for controlling dental wear is by using an “anti-bruxism” occlusal splint, also known as a bite plate. This solution for worn teeth consists in a tailor-made resin device that the patient wears to go to sleep. This device diminishes the strength of the grinding and avoids contact between teeth, preventing wear. By using the splint, patients tend to feel an improvement in the muscular and articular pains caused by bruxism.
Another alternative related to dental wear consists in applying dental aesthetic solutions, such as reconstructing teeth with dental veneers. These are very thin layers of ceramic placed on worn teeth with powerful adhesives in order to recover their shape and colour. This solution doesn’t only allow one to recover proper mastication but also helps prevent facial ageing and recover the dental aesthetic lost to dental wear.
If this all sounds familiar, and you want to put an end to the problem, request a first prior appointment for free. We will analyse your case and propose the best solution for your specific situation.
