Heavily worn and shorter teeth as a result of bruxism or night time tooth clenching and grinding
Are your teeth worn down as a result of bruxism? If you have issues with bruxism (also called nighttime grinding) your dentist may have given you a bite guard to wear at night. However your dentist may not have the ability required to repair the effects of bruxism. Dr. James Fondriest, a cosmetic dentist, can restore your teeth and reverse the damage caused by bruxism.
A Patient Example of Dr. Fondriest’s Bruxism Repair
Bruxism can cause wear and breakage to the front teeth. It can also break dental work. Therefore a cosmetic dental procedure that both restores the look of shorter teeth and can withstand pressure is needed. (Of course, it is also important to address the issue of nighttime grinding, as it can cause other health issues, such as headaches, jaw pain, or even TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder).
Dr. Fondriest chose porcelain veneers in his smile design for the featured patient. She did not have access to a dentist skilled enough to perform the complicated procedures required to repair her bite issues and prevent further tooth damage.
Dental Wear as a result of bruxism
If your smile is showing any symptoms of dental problems, it is important to schedule a restorative dental visit as soon as possible, lest the issue grow worse with time and/or wear. In the case of cavities, for instance, when they are detected early a dental filling can usually help. Left untreated, an infection could occur, requiring root canal treatment.
In the case of deep cavities, chips, cracks, and many other issues, crowns make an excellent solution because they can bear the brunt of chewing, allowing the teeth beneath them to remain intact. POM crowns can also be made to look natural, allowing for one of the most seamless smile solutions available! So if you know you need restorative dentistry, but don’t want it to negatively impact the beauty of your smile, talk to your dentist about how a crown could help!
As you can see in the picture, loss of tooth structure and breakage of previous dental work resulted from her bruxism:
Has bruxism damaged your teeth? Dr. Fondriest can turn back the clock and bring the beauty back to your smile. For your consultation or appointment, call Lake Forest Dental Arts today at 847-234-0517. Dr. Fondriest offers cosmetic and general dentistry to patients in the North Shore and the greater Chicago areas.