Replacing tooth enamel lost from bruxism

Shortened teeth from nighttime bruxism, tooth grinding
Before:

Can night time tooth grinders get veneers?

This patient lived on Whidbey Island, Washington and did not have access to a dentist who did more complicated prosthodontics, specifically dealing with bite issues. Her family dentist was a student of Dr. Fondriest's and recommended that she fly to Chicago to have her dental work done.  She had lost a significant amount of tooth structure due to bruxism (night time grinding) and had broken much of her previous dentistry.

Porcelain veneers used to lengthen teeth
After:

Veneers for bruxer-tooth grinders

The patient had a gum lift and porcelain veneers done to her upper front teeth.  The veneers were created with a shape and appearance that she specified.  She had her lips done too!  This patient was only 26 years old!

 

Worn teeth, night-time grinding, chronic bruxism

Bruxism, clenching or gnashing of teeth is common to everyone.  Although everyone has some tooth on tooth wear, the amount of manifested tooth structure loss varies dramatically.  Tooth on tooth contact and the subsequent loss of tooth structure or valume is called attrition.  Tooth attrition can occur during the day or at night while sleeping. Most people do not believe that they grind or rub their teeth together at night but the vast majority do.  There are many theories about why we grind, brux, or rub but nothing in the scientific literature has been proven. 

Some common theories of why people grind or gnash their teeth:

  1. It is a genetic pre-disposition and therefore it occurs throughout life
  2. It is accelerated, heightened, or increased by stress but not initiated or generated by stress
  3. Hypoxic or hypopnic events associated with sleep apnea
  4. Some types of drug abuse have been shown to cause heavier tooth wear
  5. Positioning the jaw into a braced and clenched position during sports
  6. Compulsive habit of abusive chewing or clenching, biting on foreign objects, or tooth on tooth rubbing during daytime
  7. An unbalanced, non equilibrated or imperfect bite
  8. The muscles of the jaw are not balanced
  9. Psychological imbalance

It is more likely that tooth on tooth wear is caused by, attributed to, or accelerated by the first seven on the list above.  In other words, THERE IS NO ONE CAUSE OF GRINDING or tooth on tooth wear.