Worn teeth can change your smile over time. You might not even notice it at first. The edges look flatter. A tooth seems shorter than it used to be. Then one day you look in the mirror. Realize your teeth don’t look the same as they did a few years ago.
Why Teeth Become Worn
Tooth wear happens for reasons. Grinding your teeth at night is an one, especially if you’ve been doing it for years without knowing. Acid erosion is another. Regular exposure to foods or drinks slowly weakens the surface of the tooth.
If the wear is light or moderate bonding often makes sense because the dentist can add material without taking much of the healthy part of the tooth. I prefer this method for wear when the inside of the tooth is still strong. There’s no need to go straight for something complicated when a simple repair works.
How Tooth Bonding Restores Worn Teeth
The dentist first looks into why your teeth have worn down. That is important. If grinding is the cause and it is not fixed the new bonding will face the pressure that caused the original damage.
Once the tooth is ready the composite resin is placed over the part. Your dentist shapes it carefully so your bite still feels right. The material is then hardened with a light and polished until it matches the rest of the tooth.
What Bonding Can Actually Fix
Shortened front teeth, especially where the edges have gradually become flat over time.
• Small worn areas that change how a tooth looks though the cause still needs to be checked.
• A chipped or thin-looking edge can often be fixed without making the tooth into a bigger treatment.
What Happens If You Grind Your Teeth?
If you grind or clench your teeth your dentist may suggest a night guard after bonding. Otherwise you could put much pressure on the new composite and eventually break it. Bonding is strong. It isn’t unbreakable.
Is Bonding Right, for Worn Teeth?
If the wear is not too bad and your teeth are otherwise healthy I would think about bonding before considering serious treatments. It keeps more of your tooth and the visit is usually quick.
Serious wear is different. If a lot of the tooth has been. Your bite has changed a lot bonding alone might not be enough. Your dentist needs to find out why the wear happened before deciding how to fix the teeth.
Visit our page on composite bonding London to explore treatment options, costs, and expert advice.
The insights shared in our articles are meant to educate and inform, not to replace a face-to-face consultation. Every smile is unique, and a proper diagnosis can only be made by a qualified clinical professional. Please book an appointment with our team or consult your local dentist for advice tailored to your specific oral health needs.
