Worn Teeth

Unfortunately, no. Unlike bones which can heal, and unlike cavities which can be remineralized if caught extremely early, worn tooth enamel cannot regenerate or grow back naturally. Once enamel is gone, it's gone permanently. This is why professional dental treatment is necessary to restore worn teeth—we must artificially rebuild the lost structure using dental materials like composite resin, porcelain, or ceramic. However, you can absolutely prevent further wear by addressing the underlying cause and protecting your teeth.

Yes, though it's less common. Children can develop worn teeth from bruxism (many children grind their teeth during developmental stages), acidic diets (excessive juice or soda consumption), reflux conditions, or mouth breathing that causes dry mouth. Most childhood grinding resolves on its own as children grow, but if wear is significant, a pediatric dentist should evaluate the child. Early intervention can prevent more serious problems as the child's permanent teeth erupt.

Relief is often immediate or within a few days. Sensitivity caused by exposed dentin disappears as soon as the protective restoration (crown, veneer, or bonding) is placed over the worn tooth. Jaw pain from grinding improves within days of wearing a night guard as your muscles relax and stop overworking. The timeline depends on the treatment: bonding provides same-day relief, veneers and crowns provide relief within 3-7 days (after final placement), and night guards begin working the first night you wear them. For severe cases requiring full mouth rehabilitation, relief comes in stages as different areas are restored.

Untreated worn teeth lead to progressively worsening problems. As more enamel wears away, sensitivity increases until eating and drinking become uncomfortable or painful. The teeth become weaker and more prone to fractures and cracks. Once wear reaches the dentin and pulp (nerve), you may need root canals in addition to restorations. Your bite can change as teeth wear unevenly, leading to TMJ problems, chronic headaches, and jaw pain. Worn front teeth make you look older, as they shorten your smile and lower facial features sag. The longer you wait, the more extensive (and expensive) treatment becomes, catching wear early allows for simpler, more conservative, and more affordable solutions.

Yes, absolutely! If bruxism is causing your wear, a custom night guard is highly effective at preventing further damage. It won't reverse existing wear, but it stops progression completely. Addressing stress through lifestyle changes (exercise, meditation, better sleep habits) can reduce grinding intensity. Some patients benefit from physical therapy for jaw muscles or Botox injections in the jaw muscles (masseter) to reduce grinding force. Your dentist may also assess your bite. Sometimes orthodontic treatment to correct bite alignment reduces grinding. The key is intervention: protecting your teeth with a guard while addressing underlying causes gives you the best long-term results.