Understanding Tooth Wear

Tooth Wear is the loss of tooth structure, which is not caused by decay or by an injury. Tooth wear is usually categorizedc as pathologic or physiologic. It is not unusual to see dental patients from Sedona and Cottonwood that have a certain amount of wear that is considered normal as they age.

Pathologic tooth wear is when a tooth is worn past what is considered normal. This can affect the esthetics, function and the patient’s ability to chew. In some cases the tooth becomes so worn that the nerve becomes exposed, causing pain.

There are three categories of Tooth Wear:

  • Abrasion
  • Erosion
  • Attrition

Tooth Abrasion is the loss of tooth structure from mechanical forces. Abrasion is seen at a necks of the teeth near the gum line. It appears as a groove or deep ridge on the side of the tooth, typically on the bicuspids or the canines. as a deep ridge on the buccal or labial surfaces. A tooth with abrasion can be restored with a tooth colored dental filling.

Tooth Erosion is the loss of tooth enamel caused by acid attack. Enamel is the hard, protective coating of the tooth, which protects the softer and sensitive dentine underneath. When the enamel is worn away, the dentine underneath is exposed. Because the dentine is sensitive, your teeth are likely to be sensitive to heat and cold, or acidic drinks and foods.

Tooth Attrition is tooth wear caused by tooth-to-tooth contact, resulting in loss of enamel and dentin, usually starting at the biting edges (incisal) of the front teeth or the flat biting surfaces (occlusal ) of the back teeth.