Treatment of tooth enamel loss depends on your individual needs. Your dentist may recommend tooth bonding (filling the damaged areas with tooth-colored resins) to protect the tooth and improve its appearance. If the enamel loss is more severe, a crown may be necessary to protect the tooth from further decay.
Repair: Dental Bonding
One treatment option is repairing tooth enamel with dental bonding. Dental bonding involves applying a dental resin to the tooth surface to protect damaged areas and restore the intact surface.
The remineralization process usually takes about three to four months to take effect. However, once you begin to better fortify your enamel, you may start to see stronger teeth, experience less sensitivity, and even reveal a whiter smile.
Once the tooth enamel has been damaged, there is no way to reverse the effects of tooth enamel erosion.
Tooth enamel erosion and wear weakens the overall structure of your smile, exposing you to an increased risk for tooth decay (cavities), dental chips and cracks, and infection in or around the tooth.
As the enamel erodes more, your teeth may appear grayish or yellow. Your teeth may begin to appear rounded, develop ridges, and often the gaps between teeth will become more substantial. Eventually, you may notice cracks in the teeth or experience loss of tooth material.
More findings show bulimia as a cause of enamel erosion and tooth decay. Bulimia is an eating disorder that's associated with binge eating and vomiting, a source of acid. Frequent vomiting erodes tooth enamel and can lead to cavities.
It could be the result of an acidic diet, medication side reactions or just vigorous brushing. Dry mouth, low salivary flow, diet high in sugar and starches, bruxism and friction, acid reflux disease, gastrointestinal problems and even genetics could also be blamed for enamel erosion.
Dental Veneers are an excellent option for those looking to restore enamel erosion. They can improve the appearance of your teeth, restore their function, and give you a natural-looking smile. Porcelain veneers, Composite veneers, Lumineers, and Removable or Temporary Veneers are all great options to consider.
Enamel erosion is a growing concern in clinical practice today, with 46% of young adults already showing signs of enamel erosion. Enamel erosion is a form of tooth wear caused by acid weakening the surface of tooth enamel.
As the enamel continues to erode, your teeth might turn a gray or yellowish color. If your teeth change shape, it's a good indicator that you have enamel damage. Your teeth may begin to appear rounded, develop ridges, and often the gaps between teeth will become more substantial.
Once enamel is destroyed and lost, it cannot be fixed. This often leads to a cavity that will need to be filled by a dentist. Fillings, crowns, veneers, and dental bonding can protect the tooth from further enamel loss and decay, and also improve overall appearance.
Help guard against the daily effects of acid erosion with Sensodyne's line of toothpastes specially formulated for enamel protection. Our Pronamel range strengthens and rehardens weakened enamel for ongoing protection against acid wear. They are also specially formulated for sensitive teeth.
It cannot regenerate itself, because it is formed by a layer of cells that are lost after the tooth eruption. Conventional treatment relies on synthetic materials to restore lost enamel that cannot mimic natural enamel.
Unlike a broken bone that can heal itself, enamel has no living cells, meaning once the damage is done, it's permanent.
If your teeth have already thinned, there are a few treatments that help restore the enamel. Dental bonding, a treatment that involves the application of a composite resin to your teeth, is one option. Veneers are another option for those who are interested.
Pronamel is designed to help re-harden precious, acid-softened tooth enamel, helping to strengthen teeth. With a low-abrasive, pH neutral formulation, Pronamel toothpaste helps protect your enamel while you brush your teeth.
Once tooth enamel is damaged, it cannot be brought back. However, weakened enamel can be restored to some degree by improving its mineral content. Although toothpastes and mouthwashes can never “rebuild” teeth, they can contribute to this remineralization process.
These could include bonded sealants, fillings, or crowns. Over time, if some of the teeth become too weak or deformed, you might need to consider a tooth extraction and replacement with a bridge or an implant. Of course, these are all more serious treatment steps to address severe cases of enamel lack.
This is because teeth can become translucent due to the effects of enamel erosion, which is a slow, gradual process. As the enamel wears down and becomes thinner, it begins to lose its natural color. This allows the underlying dentin layer to show through.
Too much wear and tear or a powerful strike can result in broken or chipped teeth. This can result in a tooth with an uneven surface that can be sharp, disfiguring, and tender.
When there is advanced dental erosion, the enamel may wear away to reveal the underlying dentine; these areas look yellow on the tooth surface (see photo). Fillings may start to become more prominent if the surrounding tooth surface is dissolving away due to erosion.
Signs that Your Enamel Has Eroded or Is Weak
The appearance of white spots can also indicate damage to enamel structure. Likewise, if you notice increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and liquids, you may be experiencing an early sign of enamel loss. Later stages may feel more severe.