Tooth Wear Treatment: If You Delay Any Longer, You’ll Regret It [+Includes a Treatment Case]

1. Teeth that are gradually wearing down — is it really okay to leave them as they are?

Hello.

I’m Ahn Young-seok, the chief director of Make Dental Clinic.

These days, my teeth seem to be getting shorter and shorter.

They even look a bit strange when I smile,

and I often feel sensitivity when chewing.

When you can actually feel your teeth wearing down,

that anxiety is hard to put into words.

In fact, because wear does not progress in a noticeably rapid way,

many people tend to think little of it at first.

But because it progresses slowly,

there are many cases where discomfort suddenly becomes severe

and people end up visiting the dentist.

Make Dental Clinic’s laminate treatment is not about taking away,

but about adding beauty.

The patient in today’s case also said that as the height of their teeth decreased,

their smile no longer looked like it used to,

and they became more worried because chewing food

didn’t feel as strong as before.

So I advised them,

“Teeth wear is a natural part of aging,

but depending on the cause, it can progress faster.

What matters is accurately understanding your current condition

and finding the right tooth wear treatment method

before it gets worse.”

Laminate results are like night and day depending on who performs the treatment and how it is done.

2. Why does wear occur, and what is the problem?

There are several causes of tooth wear.

The most common cause is habits such as teeth grinding,

and frequent consumption of highly acidic foods can also

weaken the surface.

In addition, frequently chewing hard foods

or having an uneven tooth alignment that places excessive force

on specific areas can also accelerate wear.

In the patient’s case, they had a habit of unconsciously clenching

their teeth when stressed,

and this repeated behavior gradually wore down the enamel layer,

eventually making the teeth shorter.

In severe cases, the nerves could have become exposed.

The problem is that once a tooth has worn down,

it does not naturally recover.

If left untreated, chewing function and tooth shape

can continue to deteriorate.

In addition, as the height decreases, it can also affect the jaw joint,

and as the lower third of the face becomes shorter,

it may make you look older.

In this way, tooth wear treatment is not just about the teeth;

it is an important issue connected to overall oral health

and even the aesthetics of the face.

At Make Dental Clinic, we think not only about the result

but also about satisfaction with the process.

3. First, we accurately checked the current condition with digital equipment.

Using a 3D oral scanner, we precisely analyzed the worn areas

and the bite condition,

and through facial scanning, we also examined how the shortened length

affected the harmony of the entire face.

At this stage, we could also check with data

which areas were concentrating the chewing force,

and the patient was surprised, saying,

“I didn’t know my teeth were worn down this much.”

The biggest advantage of digital diagnosis is that you can

visually check your condition right away.

Rather than simply hearing that “there is wear,”

the 3D image on the screen makes it easy to understand

the need for tooth wear treatment.

4. Treatment goal: balancing function + aesthetics + naturalness

I had a thorough conversation with the patient

and discussed the direction of the tooth wear treatment together.

It was not just about covering the worn areas;

we also had to preserve function, aesthetics,

and naturalness.

In particular, the patient said that because the front teeth had become shorter than before,

their facial impression looked a little stronger,

so we paid close attention to restoring the length

and making the smile line flow naturally.

We also carried out bite design so that the chewing force

would be distributed evenly.

To create a result that was both functionally sound and aesthetically satisfying,

we went through several design meetings and simulations.

5. Once the treatment plan was finalized, we began the procedure in earnest.

I place great importance on the principle of minimizing tooth reduction.

In addition, because the patient’s teeth were already weakened by wear,

it was necessary to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible.

So we calculated the amount of reduction in units of 0.001 mm,

minimized unnecessary reduction,

and designed the laminate in a way that reinforced

the worn surface.

Ceramic has a color and translucency similar to natural teeth,

so it can create a natural result that does not stand out

after treatment.

Consultation with sincerity from the medical team,

we listen to your concerns and find answers.

6. To prevent wear, bite imbalance must also be corrected.

Because one of the causes of wear is bite imbalance, if this is not improved,

wear may continue to progress.

In particular, the front teeth affect food cutting,

speech, and the smile line,

so if the chewing force is not properly distributed in the molars,

the front teeth come into excessive contact and wear becomes more severe.

That is why, in this treatment, bite adjustment was performed

along with the laminate procedure.

We carefully designed the occlusal surface so that the force placed

on the front teeth and molars would be balanced,

and we thoroughly checked which part touched first when the patient chewed,

and whether there was any strain on the jaw joint.

In fact, after the bite adjustment,

the chewing force was evenly distributed on both sides,

which helped prevent further front-tooth wear and also

alleviated jaw joint pain.

Before treatment (25.01.31) / After treatment (25.04.03)

This photo was included with the patient’s consent,

and side effects may occur depending on the individual,

so please proceed with treatment after consulting the doctor in charge.

When they saw the tooth wear treatment results,

the patient could not hide their surprise.

The teeth that had been shortened and worn down before treatment

had their length and shape restored afterward,

changing to a much younger and healthier impression.

They also said that because the chewing force became balanced,

the discomfort when eating disappeared.

In fact, when the length and shape change, subtle differences in pronunciation can occur,

and after this treatment, the patient said their speech became clearer.

By restoring both function and aesthetics at the same time,

the patient’s satisfaction was very high,

and it was also a meaningful moment for our medical team.

Therefore, if you feel that your teeth are gradually wearing down,

don’t leave them alone and consider getting an accurate diagnosis.

The more wear progresses,

the more difficult it becomes to restore length and function,

so early treatment is especially important.

At Make Dental Clinic, in just one visit,

you can experience oral scanning, bite analysis,

and simulation all at once.

I will help you regain a healthy and natural smile.

We carefully observe each change in every tooth,

and provide tooth wear treatment in the most suitable way for the patient,

and stay with you until the end so that you can maintain

a comfortable and confident smile for a long time.

Thank you.

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