Tooth wear can happen quickly or over a long period of time. Unfortunately, most people don’t
notice the wear until they are experiencing quite a bit of pain. Once the tooth enamel is worn
away, the softer tissue underneath—called dentin—begins to wear away as well.

How can you treat teeth that have been worn down, sometimes severely? Here are your
treatment options for restoring this type of damage on your smile!

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding involves using a material that matches the color of your teeth to build the
damaged part of the tooth back up. This material is called composite resin and is used for a
variety of treatments in dentistry, even fillings!

Dental bonding with composite resin can improve your appearance and prevent further
damage to your smile. However, it may not be the best treatment choice if the damage to your
worn down teeth is severe.

This form of treatment can help the teeth appear longer and decrease the chances of future
damage. Dental bonding will need to be reapplied every so often in order for it to continue to
protect and enhance your smile, so regular dental visits are important when you choose this
form of treatment.

Dental bonding can usually be done in just one appointment, helping your teeth look better in
just one day!

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can be used for severe cases of worn down teeth. This type of treatment
involves a tooth restoration that’s very durable—typically made out of porcelain—that’s
permanently placed over your tooth to protect the damaged tissue underneath.

If your teeth are severely worn down, a crown lengthening procedure may be needed before
dental crowns can be an option. Crown lengthening involves reshaping your gums to expose
more of your tooth to create a more natural-looking smile.

Dental crowns help to protect your teeth in addition to restoring function and improving
appearance. You and your dentist can discuss if dental crowns are an option for your worn
down teeth.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers consist of a lightweight shell that’s placed over your damaged teeth and
permanently bonded there. Veneers can help alleviate tooth sensitivity and restore function
and beauty to your smile.

When worn down teeth make you look older than you really are, porcelain veneers can make
your smile strong and healthy again. You can even customize your color to have whiter teeth,
making this option more of a total makeover.

Treatment for your worn down teeth will depend on the cause of the wear and how extensive
the damage is. Normally, treatment will also involve addressing the root cause of your worn
down teeth, such as bruxism. You and your dentist can discuss these different treatment
options based on your unique smile!

The post Which Treatment Options Are Available for Worn Down Teeth? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Ten to Fifteen Years

Your veneers, with proper placement, care, and maintenance, will likely last ten to fifteen years. This will depend on your oral health habits as well as the placement of your veneers. Getting your veneers installed by a dentist who takes the time and care to understand your mouth and give you the perfect placement of your veneers is important. You have a role to play in the lifespan of your veneers, too, though. With proper care, your veneers could last up to twenty years or maybe even longer! How can you extend the lifespan of your dental veneers?

How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Veneers

You can maintain your veneers by keeping up with regular oral health practices—you’ll still need to brush, floss, and visit your dentist. It’s important to brush properly and not brush your teeth hard. Hard brushing could damage your veneers (as well as your natural teeth) over time. Gentle brushing with a quality toothpaste is important. Avoid drinks that can be destructive to your veneers, namely soda and alcohol, as much as possible. You can also protect your veneers by not misusing your mouth. Your mouth was meant to bite, chew, and grind up food—it’s not meant to chew ice, crack nuts, or bite on inedible objects like pencils and pens. Engaging in all of these practices can be very damaging to your dental veneers.

You and Your Dentist Make a Good Team

While you can engage in healthy oral practices to make your veneers last longer, you’ll also need to team up with your dentist in order to create a longer lifespan for your veneers. Your dentist can give youthe care you need during regular checkups, and ensure that your veneers are doing fine. Your dentist may look for cracks or chips, and your dentist should also check whether or not you’ve been grinding your teeth. An improper jaw bite can be very damaging to dental veneers, therefore creating grinding or improper use of your veneers. If you grind your teeth, your dentist should be able to tell, and can talk with you about how to protect your teeth from grinding and even help prevent it. Grinding can cause headaches, jaw pain, and it can crack or chip your veneers, leading to early replacement.

Your dental veneers were meant to last at least ten years, but could last as many as twenty! By taking care of your oral health and visiting your dentist, you can ensure that your dental veneers last a long time, and keep your smile looking great for years.

The post How Often Should My Veneers Be Replaced? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.