Dental Conditions
Worn-down teeth are treatable
Teeth that have been flattened, thinned, or shortened can be restored to their original height and function — and the cause identified so it does not simply happen again.
Why it matters beyond appearance
Worn teeth are structurally weakened, not merely shorter. They are considerably more susceptible to cracking, and sensitivity increases as thinning enamel exposes the softer dentine underneath. For some patients that sensitivity becomes significant enough to make eating and drinking uncomfortable.
Wear also signals something. Teeth do not flatten spontaneously — grinding, acid erosion, or a bite that loads certain teeth far harder than others is driving it. Restore the teeth without addressing that cause and the restorations wear out the same way.
The three usual causes
Grinding & Clenching
Bruxism, usually during sleep and usually unnoticed. Produces characteristic flat, polished wear facets that match up between upper and lower teeth.
Acid Erosion
From diet — citrus, carbonated drinks, wine — or from reflux. Produces a different pattern: cupped, scooped-out surfaces and a glassy appearance.
Bite Problems
Where the bite is uneven, a small number of teeth take forces meant to be shared across the whole arch, and wear disproportionately fast.
How restoration works
Restoring worn teeth is more involved than filling a cavity, because rebuilding height changes how the whole bite fits together. It usually requires planning the finished bite first, then working toward it with crowns, onlays, or bonded composite depending on how much structure is left.
A night guard almost always forms part of the plan, protecting the new restorations from the forces that destroyed the originals.
Concerned about your symptoms?
Book an assessment. We will identify the cause before proposing any restoration. Call (905) 479-7777.