Monitor and protect
If wear is stable, prevention and monitoring may be more sensible than immediate cosmetic treatment.
Worn teeth
Worn teeth may be caused by grinding, acid wear, bite pressure or ageing, and treatment depends on cause, risk and how much tooth has been lost.
Review required by Newstead Dental Co
Why are my teeth wearing down?
Tooth wear can be cosmetic, functional or protective. The key is understanding why teeth are wearing and whether the process is active before deciding on bonding, crowns, veneers or monitoring.
What you may be worried about
- Teeth may keep getting shorter or flatter.
- Edges may chip repeatedly.
- Treatment may fail if grinding or acid wear is not controlled.
Possible causes
- Grinding or clenching.
- Acid erosion from diet, reflux or vomiting.
- Bite forces and tooth position.
- Age-related wear or old restorations.
When to treat this as urgent
Urgency level: routine
- Wear is associated with pain, cracks, broken teeth or severe sensitivity.
- A tooth has fractured or the bite has changed suddenly.
Options that may be considered
Night guard or risk control
Grinding, clenching or acid risk may need management before restorative work.
Rebuilding worn teeth
Bonding, crowns or other restorations may be considered when function, comfort or appearance are affected.
What we would consider before recommending treatment
- Whether wear is active or historic.
- Grinding, acid exposure and bite forces.
- Remaining tooth structure and aesthetic goals.
If it were our own teeth
If it were our own teeth, we would not rebuild worn teeth without first understanding why they wore down.
A sensible next step
Book a consultation if wear is changing, causing sensitivity, affecting confidence or leading to repeated chips.
Choosing the next step
Use the emergency pathway only when the problem may need urgent review.
For routine, planned, or unclear but non-urgent concerns, book a normal appointment. For swelling, trauma, severe pain, bleeding, or a broken tooth that cannot wait, use the emergency assessment instead.
Common questions
Can worn teeth be rebuilt?
Often they can, but the cause of wear should be understood first so treatment has a better chance of lasting.
Do worn teeth always need treatment?
No. Stable mild wear may only need monitoring and prevention.
Want us to assess your situation?
Book when you feel ready to understand the problem, options and next step.