020 8547 9997 info@pearldentalclinic.co.uk 1200+ reviews
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Open 365 days a year, 9am-10pm
020 8547 9997 info@pearldentalclinic.co.uk
1200+ reviews

Why choose us for tooth wear treatment?

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    Specialist led

    We are so proud of our highly qualified, experienced and dedicated team, including a number of expert specialists in their field.
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    Spread the cost

    We offer you the chance to spread the cost of any dental treatment over £500 across 6-24 monthly payments at 0% interest.
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    Open all week

    We are open from 9am-10pm, 7 days a week. We offer online booking for your convenience, and same-day appointments are usually available.
Tooth Wear

Why do I need treatment for tooth wear?

While mild tooth wear might not require intervention, there are several reasons why we might recommend treatment. Worn enamel exposes sensitive dentine, leading to discomfort from hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks. Excessive wear can also make chewing difficult and painful, while significantly shortened or chipped teeth can impact your smile’s appearance. Worn teeth are also more prone to further damage and can even affect your bite function.

To ensure successful treatment for tooth wear, it is very important that the cause is correctly identified and managed. Some patients suffer from more than one cause of tooth wear, so this needs to be taken into account. Simply treating one cause of wear and ignoring the other will not stop the damage to the teeth.

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Tooth Wear

Types of tooth wear

Attrition

Attrition is the mechanical wearing down of the chewing surfaces of teeth. It is caused by excessive tooth to tooth contact, such as in bruxism. Attrition causes teeth to lose their cusps and become flat and unsightly. It can also cause sensitivity.

Find out more about bruxism
Abrasion

Abrasion is the wearing down of the tooth surface due to an incorrect brushing technique. The use of a hard brush can also be to blame. Abrasion causes the gums to recede and exposes the dentine on the root surfaces of the teeth. This can result in an unsightly yellow colour on the teeth and can make the teeth more sensitive.

Erosion

Erosion is the loss of tooth structure due to exposure to acidic substances which dissolve away the surface of the tooth. Fizzy drinks and citrus fruit juices have high acid content and can cause erosion. Acidic fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits can also be to blame. Certain medical problems can also cause tooth wear through erosion, including heartburn, anorexia, bulimia, and excessive alcohol intake.

Tooth Wear

What does the treatment involve?

Once the type and cause of your tooth wear is correctly identified, a prevention programme should be put in place to stop further damage. We use an advanced iTero digital scanner and timelapse technology to compare your current tooth scans with previous ones in order to very accurately monitor the progress of tooth wear.

Attrition
  • Bruxism should be investigated as it can cause severe damage to teeth, fillings, and crowns. If bruxism exists, then either a soft or hard night guard should be used, depending on the clinical situation.
  • The damage to teeth should be repaired carefully by using composite white fillings, onlays or crowns.
Abrasion
  • Switching to a soft brush or an electric toothbrush can also help to reduce abrasion.
  • Where the root surface is exposed, it should be covered by composite resin fillings to stop the dentine sensitivity.
Erosion
  • Where dietary factors are causing the erosion, these are identified and should be stopped. Where medical problems have caused erosion, medical advice should be sought.
  • Saliva production should be encouraged to neutralise the acids that cause erosion. This is increased by the use of sugar-free gum.
  • Deep erosion cavities should be repaired by composite bonding or crowns.
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Further treatment methods

NTI device

The NTI device is a very effective way to prevent tooth wear that occurs due to clenching or grinding your teeth. It also relieves jaw and headache pain, a stiff neck, and other symptoms of bruxism. The NTI device is custom-made to ensure a snug and comfortable fit.

Find out more about NTI devices
Mouth guards

Mouth guards not only protect your teeth while you are playing contact sport. They can also help provide relief from TMJ disorder, therefore improving the function and appearance of teeth affected by wear.

Find out more mouth guards
Michigan splint

A Michigan splint is a custom-made mouthguard that fits over the upper or lower teeth to protect them from tooth wear and damage. It can also be used to prevent teeth clenching and grinding at night.

Find out more about the Michigan splint

What do our patients say?

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Frequently asked questions

Yes, some tooth wear is a natural part of the ageing process. Grinding your teeth together (attrition) causes a gradual flattening of tooth surfaces. However, excessive wear can be a cause for concern.

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