Understanding the growing problem of Tooth Wear

We've long focused on treating dental caries as the primary disease in the dental field. However, tooth wear has recently gained recognition as a growing issue. Looking ahead, it may present an even more significant challenge for clinicians.

To achieve our conservative and holistic dentistry goal, preventing and managing tooth wear and tooth surface loss (TSL) is crucial. It raises the question: can digital technologies assist us in predicting and monitoring wear effectively? Finding effective ways to predict and track wear would significantly contribute to our approach to providing comprehensive dental care.

Impact of tooth wear on your teeth.

The impact of tooth wear is a significant concern with various causes and consequences. Tooth wear, which can result from attrition, erosion, or abrasion, often progresses slowly, making symptoms difficult to detect until the later stages of the disease.

Numerous factors contribute to tooth wear, including an acidic diet, gastric reflux, abrasive foods or dental products, and parafunction (habits like teeth grinding). Estimates regarding moderate to severe tooth wear in adults vary widely, but it's believed to affect around 20% to 45% of the global population.

Patients with tooth wear are nine times more likely to express dissatisfaction with their teeth, impacting their overall satisfaction. Additionally, higher levels of tooth wear have been associated with poor oral health, as emergency dentists claim.

Severe cases of tooth wear can lead to psychological discomfort and disability for patients, regardless of sociodemographic factors or specific clinical characteristics.

Therefore, 24-hour dentists must support patients in managing tooth wear effectively. Doing so can minimize its impact and prevent further progression, improving oral health and well-being.

Choose Prevention Over Cure

While digital workflows in dentistry still have room for improvement, the initial results are indeed promising.

Undoubtedly, prevention holds more excellent value than treatment. Prioritizing measures to prevent tooth wear from occurring in the first place is crucial. In this regard, digital technologies offer a potential solution. These advanced tools can assist emergency dental services in conducting risk assessments for tooth wear and facilitate the restoration of damaged dentition once the condition is effectively managed. This development holds immense promise for the future, providing 24-hour emergency dentists with a valuable resource to address tooth wear proactively. Embracing these technological advancements may revolutionize our approach to preventing and managing tooth wear, ensuring optimal oral health outcomes.