Tooth wear permanently destroys the enamel, and can result in a worn-looking, aging smile. This irreversible damage to the enamel weakens the teeth, causing chipping, fractures, sensitivity and ultimately can shorten the life of your teeth. This can also lead to loss in confidence in smiling and eating, and pain and discomfort in the jaw as the jaw position changes.
We understand these problems fully. Our team are highly experienced and can restore your smile back to great function and beauty. Everyone deserves a comfortable, beautiful smile!
Tooth wear needs to be treated as soon as possible, before further destruction occurs.
Jodie's Story
This young patient had significant wear of her front teeth.
The teeth were restored with advanced Composite Bonding at one appointment, with zero preparation of her teeth.
Treatment by Dr Stephen Gibson, Andrea Ubhi Dentistry
"Before I came to Andrea Ubhi I was very self conscious of my teeth as they had become very worn from having a problem with grinding them during the night. I wouldn’t ever smile with my teeth showing. I was also scared of the dentists and hadn’t been for a while. When I book a consultation here and met Steve Gibson I didn’t feel nervous and was excited for the treatment. I enjoyed coming to the dentist every time! Now all the work has been done on my teeth I am overwhelmed with happiness and feel so much more confident. I can happily smile again. I wouldn’t definitely recommend this dentist to anyone and can’t thank them enough. All the staff have been wonderful. Thank you!”
Jodie
Up to 93% of Adults are Affected
Tooth wear increases with age. Tooth wear was seen in:
- 17.4% for 12 year-olds
- 29.7% for 15-year olds
- 38.1% for 16–24 year-olds
- 76.2% for 35–44 year-olds
- 93.0% for 65+ year olds.
For all age groups, males had a higher prevalence of tooth wear than females.(2000–2002 National Survey)
The Problems of Tooth Wear
Tooth wear can cause:
- worn down and significantly shorter teeth
- broken and worn-down fillings
- increased tooth sensitivity
- aging appearance with reduced face height, and increased depth of wrinkles
- difficulty eating and pain in the jaw as the jaw position changes
- ultimately tooth loss
What Causes Tooth Wear?
Abrasion
Abrasion is the long term effect of something wearing the tooth surface away, such as incorrect toothbrushing technique causing notching where the crown and root of a tooth meets. Abrasion is also seen when patients use their teeth as tools, for example opening bottle tops, holding pins or clips between the teeth, or biting nails.
Mouth jewellery, such as tongue, cheek or lip piercings cause tooth abrasion, when the jewellery rubs against the teeth.
Attrition
Attrition is the slow loss of enamel and dentine caused by grinding the upper and lower teeth together. Some people put extreme forces on their teeth, for example, if they clench or grind their teeth (bruxism) especially during sleep. It is also more evident in people who eat a particularly hard and fibrous diet.
Erosion
Erosion is the loss of tooth substance by chemical or acid contact. A common cause of modern tooth erosion is from frequent consumption of carbonated drinks (including sparkling water) and fruit juices with high levels of acidity.
Erosion is a problem in patients who suffer from gastrooesophageal reflux diseases or from eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimia.
Treating Tooth Wear
Dental problems caused by your teeth grinding should be treated as soon as possible to prevent further damage, and the causes of accelerated wear treated. There are two main ways to restore worn teeth, Composite Bonding or Porcelain Veneers/Crowns, rebuilding the lost enamel and dentine. At your consultation, the options suitable for you will be discussed fully.
Composite Bonding
Using an advanced cosmetic technique, composite resin is moulded onto your teeth, giving the appearance of a whiter and more perfect smile. It is a cosmetic solution to mishapen, chipped, spaced and stained teeth and fillings. The result is similar to porcelain veneers, but there is no preparation of the teeth, so is more conservative. Teeth can be made beautiful in just one treatment appointment, conservatively with normally zero preparation, and the result lasts up to 6-8 years. From £325 per tooth.
Porcelain Veneers/Crowns
Porcelain Veneers are made by bonding a wafer thin layer of porcelain to the front surface of a tooth, after minor preparation (similar to a false fingernail). Veneers can be placed on all the teeth visible in the upper smile, 8-10 teeth for example, for a Smile Makeover. Porcelain veneers are made by our world class ceramists and fitted by our highly experienced dentists. For decades Porcelain Veneers have been one of the most popular choices for changing smiles. They are the ‘gold standard’ for aesthetics and durability, however require preparation of the teeth. From £850 per tooth.
Everyone can have an amazing smile!
Rebuilding a Harmonious Bite
As teeth wear down over time, the bite also changes and degenerates. When we restore your teeth, we restore your bite back to full function, creating harmony and comfort for your muscles and jaws. You will have a long-lasting smile that you will be delighted with!
Your Four Step Plan
Book Your Free Consultation
Call 01904 639667 and arrange your free consultation with our experineced Treatment Team.
Your Personal Plan
At your free consultation, our Tooth Wear team will assess your teeth and jaw and make a Personal Treatment Plan with you.
Digitally Visualise Your Planned Smile
With digital technology, we will show you your proposed new smile.
Treatment
Let us work with you to carry out your Treatment Plan, restore your teeth and bring comfort to your jaw once more.
Preventing Further Tooth Wear
If you grind your teeth while you're asleep, it may help to wear a mouth guard or mouth splint at night.
Mouth guards and splints even out the pressure across your jaw and create a physical barrier between your upper and lower teeth to protect them from further damage. They can also reduce any grinding noises you make at night.
There are many different splints, and our team will work with you to find one that is right for you.
A Michigan splint is made from hard plastic and fits precisely over your upper or lower teeth, reducing the symptoms of teeth grinding. A Michigan splint will last for several years, some mouth guards usually only last for less than a year.
Splints are from £295 - £795
Addressing Stress and Anxiety
If the underlying cause of your teeth wear is due to grinding from stress or anxiety, psychological treatments, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), may help.
If your teeth grinding is stress-related, it's important to try to relax and get a good night's sleep. Discuss this with your GP.
Dr Stephen Gibson
"Dr Steve Gibson is an absolute genius when it comes to advanced Composite Bonding. Any wear or aging I notice on my own teeth, I ask Steve to restore. He is world-class," says Dr Andrea Ubhi.
Dr Steve Gibson is highly experienced in Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry. He loves minimally invasive, cosmetic Composite Bonding and enamel re-contouring.
National, Award Winning Referral Practice
Our team has won multiple national awards, including National Team of the Year 2018, 2017 & 2016, Practice of the Year North 2016, Practice Brand and Design 2016, Team of the Year North 2015, and with Dr Andrea Ubhi winning Dentist of the Year 2005 and North 2013.
Patients come to us from across the UK, referring themselves and being referred by their own dentists.
Dr Tim Steel
Tim is a highly experienced dentist with special interests in restorative dentistry including complex tooth wear cases. Tim has been working alongside the consultants at York and Scarborough Hospitals for the past 14 years as Clinical Assistant in Restorative Dentistry, helping patients resolve their restorative dental problems referred in by other dentists and doctors.
Tim is completing the MClinDent in Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics at King’s College London and takes referrals for endodontics, periodontics, restorative dentistry and prosthodontics.
Treating Wear with Composite Bonding
This patient had severe wear of his teeth due to bruxim/grinding, having worn away several millimetres of tooth length.
Reconstructive treatment with Composite Bonding was provided by Dr Steve Gibson, restoring the missing tooth structure.
Learn more about how we do this: Composite Bonding.
Treating Wear With Porcelain Veneers and Crowns
This patient had wear of many of her teeth, including her front teeth, and also needed replacement porcelain crownss on some of her back teeth.
Porcelain veneers and crowns were placed.
Jake Taylor
59 Five Star Reviews
Rory
