Laminate Veneers for Front Teeth Worn Down by Teeth Grinding

Yonsei Jeongwon Dental Clinic Laminate Veneers

Hello. I am Dr. Ji-ho Ahn, director of Yonsei Jeongwon Dental Clinic in Daechi-dong.

Today, I would like to introduce a case involving a male patient in his 40s who visited us recently.

"This content has been removed in compliance with the guidelines concerning the Medical Service Act and medical advertising, to avoid emphasizing treatment results through comparisons or highlighting of photographs taken before and after treatment, or being mistaken for advertising intended to attract patients."

This male patient in his 40s visited us because his teeth had been significantly worn down due to teeth grinding, causing sensitivity, and because he was concerned about the appearance of his teeth when smiling. His greatest concern was severe teeth grinding. As a result of grinding his teeth for a long time, he had developed generalized tooth wear and fractures, making his teeth appear thinner and darker. In particular, he said he was very concerned that his front teeth looked uneven and short when he smiled. He also enjoyed drinking coffee, so significant staining made his teeth appear to have aged considerably compared with his actual age.

Fortunately, he had worn a night guard for several years, so the wear on his molars was not severe. If he had visited us after the molar wear had progressed, comprehensive prosthetic treatment to restore the worn areas would have been necessary. In that case, not only would the burden of treatment costs and time have increased, but he might also have experienced discomfort while adapting to the newly changed bite height.

"This content has been removed in compliance with the guidelines concerning the Medical Service Act and medical advertising, to avoid emphasizing treatment results through comparisons or highlighting of photographs taken before and after treatment, or being mistaken for advertising intended to attract patients."

The examination showed that the upper and lower front teeth were in a bite in which they met each other with considerable force. In such cases, laminate veneers on the lower front teeth are not recommended. If the lower front teeth continue to receive substantial force while severe teeth grinding is already present, the risk of the laminate veneers breaking or coming off may increase.

Therefore, for this treatment, we proceeded with laminate veneers on only the eight upper front teeth. We explained thoroughly that rather than treating the lower front teeth immediately, crown treatment could be considered later if he desired a more significant aesthetic change. The patient understood the bite and long-term stability considerations and agreed to a treatment plan focused on the upper front teeth at this stage.

Considering ideal tooth proportions, the front teeth could have been designed to be longer. However, to maintain the patient’s gum condition and current bite height, we discussed a design that would not differ substantially from the shape of his front teeth at the initial examination. Because each patient may have subjective preferences regarding front-tooth design, we have consultations while viewing the final design produced through 3D printing, allowing us to reflect the patient’s preferences as much as possible.

When viewed from the side, we wanted to restore the areas that had become worn down and flattened by filling them out slightly, creating a tooth shape appropriate for his actual age. For overall aesthetic improvement, whitening was also performed on the teeth that did not receive laminate veneers.

"This content has been removed in compliance with the guidelines concerning the Medical Service Act and medical advertising, to avoid emphasizing treatment results through comparisons or highlighting of photographs taken before and after treatment, or being mistaken for advertising intended to attract patients."

Because this was a prosthetic restoration case involving worn areas, extensive tooth reduction was not necessary. While considering the final shape of the laminate veneers, only the areas that required it were minimally reduced. As a result, tooth reduction and impression-taking were completed without anesthesia during a short appointment, and the patient did not experience discomfort such as sensitivity. The tooth color was adjusted to be brighter than the original shade without appearing overly artificial.

The following photograph was taken the day after the laminate veneers were bonded. The overall color and tooth shape were improved, and after the veneers were placed, the patient was able to smile with greater confidence. Although the change was subtle, support for the patient’s upper lip was also improved, creating an appearance more appropriate for his actual age. The patient was very satisfied and plans to return next spring to proceed with prosthetic treatment for the lower front teeth as well.

Yonsei Jeongwon Dental Clinic Laminate Veneers

For teeth with progressive wear, a treatment plan is developed after analyzing various factors, including the cause of the wear, the extent and areas affected, the level of oral hygiene management, and the patient’s age. In the case described above, laminate veneer restoration involving minimal tooth reduction was sufficient. However, when necessary, crown restoration accompanied by root canal treatment may be required to protect the teeth. Therefore, it is important to establish an individualized treatment plan through thorough consultation with a dentist.

"At Yonsei Jeongwon Dental Clinic, Dr. Ji-ho Ahn, a specialist in prosthodontics and an adjunct professor at the Seoul National University School of Dentistry, provides high-quality laminate veneer results based on extensive clinical experience and conducts only strictly evidence-based treatment."

Building next to BMW at the intersection by Woosung Apartment in Daechi-dong

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Yonsei Jeongwon Dental Clinic, an orthodontic clinic in Daechi-dong,

has convenient and free parking.

Consultations and inquiries: 02-501-2879