Worn Teeth Treatment in Turramurra

Worn teeth flatten your smile, shorten your lower face, and make your lower front teeth look too big. At Dental Specialists of Turramurra, our lead prosthodontist, Dr Anthony Au, rebuilds worn teeth using our Worn Teeth Treatment approach. The goal is a smile that looks younger and a bite that feels right.

This page is a plain guide. Short sentences. No jargon. If we use a dental word, we explain it straight after.

What are worn teeth?

Worn teeth are teeth that have lost their outer layer. The outer layer is the hard white part called enamel. Once enamel is gone, it does not grow back.

Three things cause most tooth wear:

• Grinding (also called bruxism). Clenching and sliding the teeth, often at night.
• Acid wear . Stomach acid or acidic food and drink softening the enamel.
• Wear and tear . Years of chewing, especially if the bite is uneven.

Most people have a mix of all three. That is normal. What matters is how much has been lost.

What does tooth wear look like?

Look in a mirror under bright light. Here are 6 common signs:

• Flat tops on the front teeth instead of a square edge.
• See-through edges on the upper front teeth.
• Lower front teeth looking longer than they used to.
• Yellow edges where the dentine (the soft layer under enamel) shows through.
• Small dents on the biting surfaces of the back teeth.
• Cracks or chips that keep coming back.

If you see 2 or more of these, your teeth are wearing down.

Why do worn teeth make you look older?

Your teeth support your lips and cheeks. When they shorten, the lower face shortens too. The lips lose their support and start to fold in. Wrinkles above the lip get deeper.

Three changes happen to the face:

• Upper teeth hide when you smile. You see less of the white part.
• Lower teeth look too big because they are no longer covered by the upper teeth.
• The chin moves closer to the nose , which makes the face look sunken.

This is why we call our care anti-ageing dentistry. It is not a face lift. It works from the inside out, by giving the face back its lost support.

How does Dr Au treat worn teeth?

Dr Au is our lead prosthodontist. A prosthodontist is a dentist who has done extra training in rebuilding and replacing teeth. He plans each case from start to finish.

The treatment has 3 steps:

• A full check-up. We look at every tooth, the bite, the gums, and the jaw joint. We take photos and digital scans.
• A plan just for you. No two wear cases are the same. Some people need a small additive treatment. Some need a full mouth rebuild.
• The build. We add back the lost tooth structure using strong porcelain or composite. The new shape supports the lips and restores the bite.

Dr Au uses computerised anaesthetic (drop-by-drop, no big needles), aromatherapy eye packs, and virtual reality DVD viewers during treatment. Patients who feel nervous can ask about premedication or inhalational analgesia.

How long does worn teeth treatment take?

It depends on how much needs rebuilding.

• Small cases. A few visits over 2 to 4 weeks.
• Full mouth cases. 6 to 12 months, with try-in stages so you can see the shape before the final teeth are made.

We never rush a full case. Trying in the new teeth in your mouth first is part of how we get a result that looks and feels right.

How much does worn teeth treatment cost?

We do not publish prices. Treatment costs depend on the plan, the materials, and how much needs rebuilding. We will give you a clear written quote after your first visit.

You can spread the cost with Afterpay, DentiCare, or humm. We also accept BUPA and Medibank and other major health funds.

Will my teeth wear again after treatment?

They can. The new materials are strong, but they still sit on a bite that grinds. To protect your new teeth, we often make a night splint. A night splint is a thin clear guard you wear over your teeth while you sleep. It takes the pressure off the teeth and the jaw.

We will also show you 4 simple habits:

• Drink acidic drinks through a straw.
• Rinse with water after vomiting or acid reflux.
• Wait 30 minutes before brushing after acidic food.
• Wear your night splint every night.

When should I see a specialist about worn teeth?

See a specialist if you have any of these:

• Your teeth are getting flatter, shorter, or more yellow at the edges.
• You wake up with jaw ache or headaches.
• You have had 2 or more chips or cracks in the past year.
• Old fillings are starting to stand proud of the tooth.

The sooner we look, the smaller the treatment usually is.

How do I book a worn teeth consultation?

Call us on (02) 9488 7455 or visit us at Suite 1-2 / 1335 Pacific Highway, Turramurra NSW 2074. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

You can also read more about our Cosmetic Dental Care and Restorative Treatments services to see the full range of what we do.

Frequently Asked Questions