Tooth wear
What is dental erosion?
Erosion is a form of tooth wear. It is caused by acidity and is therefore a chemical process. The acidity dissolves the enamel which can go as far as the dentin and in the worst cases as far as the pulp (nerve of the tooth).
If the layers below the enamel are affected by erosion, sensitivity to touch, chewing, brushing and in most cases cold will be the main clues to this process.
What causes erosion?
It is not bacteria that cause this form of wear. Erosion can be caused by excessive consumption of acidic foods and drinks such as soft drinks, energy drinks, citrus fruits, etc. Other possible sources of erosive acids are frequent consumption of lemons and lemon juice, exposure to acidic industrial fumes, and regurgitation of stomach acids. Signs of tooth destruction by erosion are a common feature in the mouths of people with bulimia, as vomiting causes exposure of the oral cavity to stomach acids.
Solutions for dental erosion
The first step is to determine the cause of the wear with your dentist. If the erosion is caused by bad eating habits, the best solution will be to stop these practices to stop the aggression of the enamel by the consumption of acidic foods. If the cause is medical (vomiting, reflux, etc.) consultation with your doctor will be the first step in treatment.
Subsequently, if the erosion is slight and beginning, a desensitizing toothpaste may be sufficient. If the teeth still show sensitivity or are too damaged, composite protections (white filling) can be made. In more severe cases, crowns or even complete rehabilitation should be considered. These options will be evaluated during your visit to your dentist.
What is dental attrition?
Dental attrition is a loss of enamel, often on the tips of the teeth, following abnormal and repeated grinding of the teeth (or bruxism) or excessive pressure on the teeth. It first affects the enamel and can eventually reach the dentin which is less resistant than the enamel. Attrition usually affects several teeth and may or may not lead to tooth sensitivity.
What causes attrition?
The first symptom often results in dental hypersensitivity or the feeling of having a cavity. Wear comes from tooth-to-tooth contact, unlike erosion, which has an external cause. The most frequently observed causes of attrition are: teeth grinding, teeth clenching, bad position of the teeth (crooked teeth).
Solution for dental attrition
The solutions to eliminate these excessive forces are generally: wearing an occlusal plate at night, aligning the teeth with orthodontic treatments or adjusting one or more teeth.
When the forces are well balanced, the client may decide for aesthetic, comfort or functional reasons to correct the shape of the damaged teeth. It will then be possible to evaluate the various options. Depending on the seriousness of the situation, it may be necessary to do a complete rehabilitation.
What is tooth abfraction?
Abfraction is a notch-like lesion normally found on a tooth at the junction of the gum line. Abfraction occurs when the forces are too great, can affect one or more teeth, and it can make the teeth sensitive or not.
What causes abfraction?
The most common causes that are observed are; teeth grinding, clenching of teeth, bad positioning of the teeth or repeated nibbling of an object. If a tooth is misplaced in the mouth due to crowding, it could receive more stress from normal chewing forces.
Solution for dental abfraction
Sometimes, if the lesion is larger, or if it makes the tooth sensitive or disturbs the aesthetics, a white filling (composite white filling) can camouflage it. Abfraction cannot heal over time… teeth can get worse if the pattern is not corrected. So the goal is to remove all excessive forces; wearing an occlusal plate at night, aligning teeth with orthodontic treatments, stopping the bad habit that causes premature wear or adjusting one or more teeth.
The ideal situation would be for a person to have all of their teeth present in their mouth, and they all receive an equal amount of force when operating.