Worn teeth
If your teeth are becoming shorter, chipped or worn down, we can help identify why it is happening and carefully plan how to protect and restore your smile.
Are your teeth becoming worn?
Tooth wear is common and happens gradually, which means you may not notice it straight away. You might begin to see your teeth becoming shorter, flatter, thinner or chipped around the edges.
Some people develop sensitivity or notice changes in the way their teeth meet. Others first become aware of the problem because their smile simply looks different from how it used to.
The important first step is to understand why your teeth are wearing. Once we understand the cause and how much tooth structure has been lost, we can advise whether the teeth simply need protecting or whether rebuilding them would be beneficial.
Signs of worn teeth
Tooth wear can look and feel different from person to person. Sometimes there are no obvious symptoms until the wear has become more advanced.
Shorter teeth
Teeth may gradually lose height and begin to look shorter or flatter.
Chipped edges
Fine chips, rough edges and small fractures can develop as tooth structure becomes thinner.
Sensitivity
Worn enamel can make teeth more sensitive to temperature, pressure or certain foods.
Cracks & fractures
Teeth and existing fillings may become increasingly prone to cracking or breaking.
Changing tooth shape
Front teeth can become flatter or more translucent as enamel is gradually lost.
Jaw tension
Grinding or clenching may be associated with tired or uncomfortable facial and chewing muscles.
Morning headaches
Some people who clench or grind notice tension or headaches, particularly after waking.
A changing bite
As teeth gradually wear down, the way the upper and lower teeth meet can change. Because this happens slowly, most people adapt to the change and may not notice it themselves.
Why do teeth wear down?
Tooth wear rarely has exactly the same cause in every patient. Understanding what is driving the wear is an important part of deciding how best to protect your teeth.
Grinding & clenching
Many people clench, grind or rub their teeth together, particularly during sleep. Over time these repeated forces can flatten, chip or fracture teeth and restorations.
Acid erosion
Acids can gradually soften and dissolve the outer surface of teeth. Sources can include acidic foods and drinks as well as stomach acid associated with reflux.
A combination of factors
Often more than one process is involved. Teeth softened by acid, for example, may then be more vulnerable to mechanical wear from grinding or other repeated forces.
Why recognising tooth wear early matters
Mild tooth wear may only need monitoring, together with conservative measures to help control the underlying cause. This might include reducing exposure to dietary acids, managing grinding or clenching, or using a protective bite guard where appropriate.
As more tooth structure is lost, treatment can become increasingly complex. Assessing the problem earlier gives us the opportunity to protect the remaining natural tooth structure and consider conservative solutions before more extensive rebuilding is required.
How can worn teeth be treated?
Treatment depends on how much wear has occurred, why it has happened and which teeth are affected. Some patients simply need protection and monitoring; others benefit from carefully rebuilding lost tooth structure. More advanced cases may use a combination of treatments.
Protecting against further wear
If grinding or clenching is contributing to the problem, your dentist may recommend a protective appliance such as a night guard alongside monitoring and preventive advice.
Orthodontic treatment
In some cases, carefully moving the teeth can create the space needed to rebuild worn teeth more conservatively. Orthodontics may therefore be recommended before a partial or full mouth reconstruction.
Composite bonding
Tooth-coloured composite can sometimes be bonded directly to worn teeth to replace lost structure, improve shape and help rebuild the bite while preserving natural tooth tissue.
Explore composite bonding →Crowns & onlays
Where teeth have suffered more extensive damage or need additional strength, carefully planned crowns or onlays may form part of the reconstruction.
Explore crowns & onlays →Partial or full mouth reconstruction
When tooth wear is more advanced, several teeth may need to be rebuilt as part of a partial mouth reconstruction. A full mouth reconstruction involves rebuilding or restoring all of the teeth so that function, tooth shape and appearance can be planned together.
Root canal treatment
In severely worn or damaged teeth the nerve can sometimes become involved. Where appropriate, root canal treatment can help preserve a tooth as part of the wider treatment plan.
Explore root canal treatment →Replacing teeth where necessary
Our priority is to preserve natural teeth wherever appropriate. If a tooth cannot be predictably restored, replacement options can also be considered as part of an overall plan.
Explore replacing missing teeth →Restoring a worn smile
See the difference carefully planned restorative treatment can make. Drag the slider to compare this patient's smile before and after treatment.
Before 
Individual results vary. Your dentist will discuss which treatment options are appropriate for your teeth.
A natural-looking result
Worn teeth can affect much more than a single tooth. When rebuilding a smile we consider tooth shape, proportions, function and the way the upper and lower teeth meet.
The aim is not simply to make teeth look new. It is to create a result that feels comfortable, functions well and looks appropriate for you.
Book an appointmentA full mouth reconstruction patient story
When tooth wear is extensive across the mouth, treatment may involve rebuilding or restoring all of the teeth as part of a carefully planned full mouth reconstruction. This patient's treatment addressed both worn and missing teeth as part of one comprehensive treatment plan.
Before & after treatment
Drag each slider to see the changes achieved during this patient's treatment.
Before 
Smile transformation
A comprehensive approach to restoring worn and compromised teeth.
Before 
Rebuilding function and appearance
Treatment planned across the mouth rather than considering each tooth in isolation.
Questions about worn teeth
A few of the questions patients commonly ask us about tooth wear and rebuilding worn teeth.
Why are my teeth wearing down?
Tooth wear can have several causes. Common contributing factors include grinding or clenching and acid erosion from dietary acids or stomach acid. Often more than one factor is involved, which is why an individual assessment is important.
How do I know if I grind my teeth?
Most people who grind or clench their teeth are not aware that they are doing it. It commonly happens during sleep, and even daytime clenching is often a subconscious habit. Flattened teeth, fractures, jaw muscle tension and morning headaches can sometimes provide clues, and your dentist may notice patterns of wear before you are aware of the habit yourself.
Can worn teeth be rebuilt?
Often, yes. The most appropriate technique depends on the amount of tooth structure lost, the condition of the teeth, the bite and the cause of the wear. Options can include composite restorations, crowns, onlays, orthodontic treatment or a combination of approaches.
Will I need crowns on all of my teeth?
Not necessarily. Modern restorative treatment aims to preserve natural tooth structure wherever possible. Composite or more conservative restorations may be suitable in some cases, while crowns or onlays may be recommended for particular teeth that require additional protection.
Can composite bonding help worn teeth?
Composite can often be used to replace lost tooth structure and reshape worn teeth. Whether it is appropriate depends on the individual tooth, the extent of wear and how the teeth meet together.
Can acid erosion damage my teeth?
Yes. Repeated exposure to acid can gradually soften and dissolve tooth enamel. Acid may come from foods and drinks or, in some people, from stomach acid associated with reflux. Identifying and controlling the cause is an important part of managing erosive tooth wear.
Would a night guard stop my teeth wearing?
A protective appliance may be recommended where grinding or clenching is contributing to tooth wear. Its role and design depend on your individual circumstances, so your dentist will advise whether this is appropriate for you.
Why might I need orthodontic treatment before my teeth are rebuilt?
As teeth wear down, they can gradually move or erupt further to compensate for the lost tooth height. This can mean there is very little room available to rebuild them. Orthodontic treatment can sometimes reposition the teeth and create the space needed for more conservative restorative treatment.
What is a full mouth reconstruction?
A full mouth reconstruction involves rebuilding or restoring all of the teeth so that their shape, function and the way they meet can be planned together. If several or many teeth need rebuilding, but not all of them, this would be described as a partial mouth reconstruction.
Is it better to treat tooth wear early?
Early assessment can be valuable because mild wear may only require monitoring and conservative measures to control the underlying cause. Once substantial tooth structure has been lost, restoring the teeth can become more involved.
How much does worn teeth treatment cost?
The cost depends greatly on the extent of the tooth wear and the treatment required. Simple measures such as monitoring or providing a protective bite guard are relatively inexpensive. Where several or all of the teeth need rebuilding, a partial or full mouth reconstruction is a much more substantial investment and can be one of the more costly forms of dental treatment. Following an assessment, we will explain the appropriate options and provide a clear treatment plan and costs before treatment begins.
Concerned your teeth are becoming worn?
We can assess what is causing the wear, how much tooth structure has been lost and whether your teeth need protecting, restoring or simply monitoring.