Full Mouth Restoration For Worn-Down Teeth

Reversing Tooth Damage From Aging, Grinding, And More

You only get one set of teeth. And though tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body, it can still become worn down over time from chewing, biting, grinding your teeth, and more. If you’ve noticed signs of worn-down teeth in Loveland, CO, Dr. Andrew Howard and the team at the Center for Advanced Dentistry are here to help.

‍

Dr. Howard is an expert in restorative dentistry and specializes in full-mouth restorations. From root canals and dental crowns to dental implants and All-On-Four, he can provide the expert care you need to restore your teeth, protect your oral health, and love your smile once again.

What Causes Worn Teeth?

Wondering why your teeth may be worn down? There are lots of different factors that can contribute. And in most cases, worn teeth aren't caused by just one of them, but by a combination of multiple factors. 

‍

• Natural aging – Eating, chewing, and biting take their toll on your teeth over time. As we age, the enamel also tends to get thinner, which can contribute to tooth wear.
  
  
• Acidic foods and beverages – Acidic foods and beverages can wear down your enamel over time. Citrus and tomato sauces, coffee, soda, energy drinks, and lots of other foods and beverages can cause tooth wear and increase your risk of cavities, too.
  
  
• Stomach acid – GERD, gastric reflux, bulimia, and other disorders that expose your teeth to stomach acid can cause serious wear, particularly to the back teeth.
• Teeth grinding (bruxism) – Uncontrolled teeth grinding, especially at night, is a very common cause of tooth wear. If you clench and grind your teeth together, the pressure can cause chips, cracks, and damage to your enamel over time.
• Bite and teeth alignment problems – If you have crooked teeth or an unhealthy bite, your teeth may not fit together properly when you bite and chew. This can place additional pressure on just a few teeth, leading to premature tooth wear.

How Do I Know If My Teeth Are Worn Down?

Not sure if your teeth are worn down, or if you should see a dentist to discuss your options for restoring your smile? It’s not always easy to tell on your own, but here are a few signs that you may need treatment for worn-down teeth:

‍

• Visible chips in teeth
• Flattened teeth, especially back teeth
• Changes in the overall shape of a tooth
• Increased Sensitivity to heat and cold
• Pain or discomfort when chewing or biting
• Changes in how your teeth fit together
• Increased susceptibility to cavities (tooth decay)

Understanding Full-Mouth Restoration For Worn Teeth

Worn-down teeth are more than just cosmetic. If your enamel is weak or thin, you have a much higher risk of breaking a tooth or developing a cavity, which could lead to a tooth infection if you don’t get proper treatment. At the Center for Advanced Dentistry, we’re here to help. Dr. Andrew Howard specializes in full-mouth restoration in Loveland, CO. 

‍

Whether your teeth are just a little bit worn down, you have multiple unhealthy teeth, or you’ve experienced severe tooth loss, we can provide the care you need for a healthy, bright smile. Wondering what’s involved in full-mouth restoration? The process is different for everyone, but it typically includes one or more of the following procedures:

Tooth extractions

As a conservative dentist, Dr. Howard will only recommend tooth extractions if he believes your teeth cannot be saved with alternative treatment methods. Still, extractions are sometimes the best way to remove unhealthy teeth and prepare for replacements like dental bridges, dentures, or dental implants.

Root canal therapy

Worn-down teeth are more likely to become decayed and infected. If you have any infected teeth that are still healthy enough to save, Dr. Howard will recommend root canal therapy. He will remove the source of the infection, then cap and cover your tooth with a dental crown to restore its natural shape and function.

Dental crowns and bridges

Dental crowns are a very common treatment for worn-down teeth. Crowns cover up your natural tooth all the way down to the gum line, preventing further wear and damage to the natural tooth structure. Not only does this protect the tooth, but it restores your appearance, too!

‍

Bridges may also be an option if you’re missing one or more teeth. Bridges consist of two crowns that attach to healthy teeth on either side of a gap in your smile. Then, a false tooth (pontic) is suspended between them to fill the gap and restore your missing tooth.

Dental implants

If you’ve lost one or more of your teeth due to tooth wear, dental implants are the best solution for permanently restoring your smile. Dental implants consist of a small, screw-shaped piece of titanium. Dr. Howard will surgically place the implant in the area where you’ve lost a tooth.

‍

Then, the implant will heal and bond with your jawbone. Once it has fully healed, Dr. Howard can attach a dental crown to replace a single tooth. A series of multiple implants can also be used to replace multiple missing teeth with a bridge, or even a full mouth of teeth with implant-supported dentures.

All-On-Four

If most of your teeth are very worn-down and unhealthy, and or you’ve lost most of your teeth, Dr. Andrew Howard may recommend full mouth restoration with All-On-Four. In this procedure, all of your remaining teeth are extracted and then replaced with a permanent fixed bridge.

‍

This nonremovable bridge attaches securely to a series of four dental implants in the lower, upper, or both arches of the mouth. All-On-Four looks and feels natural, is extremely convenient, and restores both the natural function and the beauty of your smile after tooth loss.

Explore Your Options For A Healthier, Brighter Smile Today

Whether your teeth are just looking a little bit worn down or you’re struggling with cavities, tooth infections, missing teeth, and other oral health issues, Dr. Andrew Howard is here to help with full-mouth restoration in Loveland, CO. 

‍

With Dr. Howard’s 30+ years of experience, our investments in advanced technology, and our dedication to patient-first care, the Center for Advanced Dentistry is the right choice for treating your worn-down teeth. Give us a call at (970) 669-3918 or book your first visit online to learn more and take the first steps toward a healthier mouth and a brighter smile.

‍