While our teeth experience normal wear and tear, teeth can experience damage that goes
beyond what’s considered normal. Worn down teeth can impact your chewing, your
appearance, and may even be painful.
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!
