Caused by Wear and Tear: Tooth Attrition at Mungjeong-dong Dental Clinic — We Explain the Causes and Crown Treatment Method

Hello.

This is Yonsei Dagam Dental Clinic in Mungjeong-dong.

Did you know that teeth can also wear down?

It can be caused by bad habits,

or, over a long period of use,

teeth naturally wear down,

becoming flatter and shorter.

For these reasons, unlike the normal shape we know,

the occlusal surface where the teeth contact each other

is worn down, and this is called attrition. What are the main causes of this?

Please take a look at the information

we will explain at the Mungjeong-dong dental clinic,

and check whether any of them apply to you.

✔ Frequent consumption of acidic foods and acidic drinks

can weaken enamel.

✔ Patients with reflux esophagitis.

✔ Brushing your teeth with too much force,

or using hard-bristled toothbrushes,

can cause continuous friction.

✔ Long-term use of toothpaste with strong abrasives

can gradually wear teeth down.

✔ Teeth grinding and clenching habits.

✔ Improper occlusal force caused by malocclusion.

✔ When prosthetics do not fit properly,

unbalanced force may be applied to certain areas,

causing wear.

✔ Reduced salivary secretion.

✔ A habit of frequently eating hard foods.

If the factors explained at the Mungjeong-dong dental clinic

apply in combination,

the hard tissues of the teeth are gradually lost,

and the teeth wear down abnormally.

In this photo, the teeth appear worn down.

Not only that, but in severe cases, beyond wear,

such a cervical fracture

can also occur at the neck of the tooth.

This case shows the oral condition that appeared when the patient

usually enjoyed carbonated drinks,

and had reflux esophagitis

and a habit of grinding teeth during sleep.

When it reaches this level of fracture,

the dentin structure is exposed,

which makes tooth sensitivity worse.

In addition,

when attrition becomes severe in the molar area,

the bite can become deeply interlocked,

which may lower the vertical dimension.

The case shown at the Mungjeong-dong dental clinic

also shows a lowered vertical dimension. What is the vertical dimension?

It refers to the vertical distance between the jaws

when the bite is closed.

If this distance is low, it does not simply remain a tooth problem;

it can negatively affect the overall facial structure and function.

Problems such as TMJ disorders, headaches,

facial asymmetry,

and reduced speech and chewing function

may occur.

To address severe wear,

prosthetic treatment is needed.

If the vertical dimension is increased in this process,

it can improve TMJ function,

stabilize the bite,

and restore esthetics. However, one thing to keep in mind is that

severely worn teeth have a higher likelihood of needing root canal treatment.

The reasons include the risk of inflammation caused by pulpal stimulation,

dentin exposure, and weakened tooth structure.

Especially in cases like the Mungjeong-dong dental clinic case,

where the bite is tightly interlocked,

delicate management is needed even more.

By increasing the vertical dimension through overall prosthetic treatment,

a stable biting force can be restored,

which may increase the lifespan of the prosthesis.

However, in this case, the patient wanted to first proceed only with the areas that felt uncomfortable.

To establish a suitable plan,

we first perform a precise examination of the areas to be treated.

In this way, we first treat the areas

that have been worn down to the point where the teeth have become flat.

There were also areas with cavities,

but they had not progressed severely enough

to reach the pulp.

Therefore, at the Mungjeong-dong dental clinic,

recovery was possible with crown treatment alone.

A crown is a prosthesis that

covers and protects the entire clinical crown,

and for it to be stably placed,

a certain thickness must be secured.

Accordingly, the overall crown is shaped,

and for accuracy, a boundary line is created

to ensure proper fit.

If the margin is not clear,

the prosthesis may be inserted too deeply into the gums

or placed inaccurately,

which can lead to periodontal diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis.

Also, it must be shaped so that it harmonizes with the gingival line,

so that it looks natural when placed.

If you take an impression of the shaped form

and select the color before placing it,

it can be restored to a natural-looking crown like this.

The appearance that had lost the shape of the crown due to wear

was restored to a normal appearance,

improving function.

Please review the causes explained above carefully,

and if any of them apply to you,

please pay closer attention!

This was Yonsei Dagam Dental Clinic in Mungjeong-dong.

Thank you.

Treatment: 2023.11.6~2023.12.27