Abfractions - Common?

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Chris - 24 Oct 2006 22:09 GMT

All,

I went to the dentist yesterday for my 6 month...Male, 31 years old.

I've been noticing gaps between my teeth and gums along my bottom gumline
that I thought was normal recession...and decided to confirm with my dentist
during the visit. He looked closer, and told me that I have some
abfractions...probably because I clench my teeth.

I do clench my teeth sometimes, during stressful times....

He proposed making impressions of my teeth, studying my bite, then reshaping
certain areas that didnt fit together properly. He also mentioned that this
is relatively painless, and would make the teeth align more properly in case
I did continue to clench. He would then restore the abfractions with
resin...i should be good to go. I have noticed increased sensitivity in the
past few years - I'm hoping that this might relieve that problem somewhat.

For those of you who are knowledable...is this common? Should he have
noticed this sooner?

He made the comment yesterday that my teeth looked like they have worn, or
aged, 15 years beyond my actual age. That really shocked me! I would have
expected to hear about this sooner...but then again, I understand that I
have to do my part with pointing things out, questions, etc.

Any thoughts on the treatment? Commonality of this? Is he steering me in the
right direction?

Thanks!

Chris

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Stormin Mormon - 25 Oct 2006 02:09 GMT

Oh, gosh, I had more fun with abfractions. You just ab the same number
to the numerator and denominator, and see if you can get your teacher
to make funny faces. I was really great at abbing and suttracting.

Signature

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
.

All,

I went to the dentist yesterday for my 6 month...Male, 31 years old.

I've been noticing gaps between my teeth and gums along my bottom
gumline
that I thought was normal recession...and decided to confirm with my
dentist
during the visit. He looked closer, and told me that I have some
abfractions...probably because I clench my teeth.

I do clench my teeth sometimes, during stressful times....

He proposed making impressions of my teeth, studying my bite, then
reshaping
certain areas that didnt fit together properly. He also mentioned that
this
is relatively painless, and would make the teeth align more properly
in case
I did continue to clench. He would then restore the abfractions with
resin...i should be good to go. I have noticed increased sensitivity
in the
past few years - I'm hoping that this might relieve that problem
somewhat.

For those of you who are knowledable...is this common? Should he have
noticed this sooner?

He made the comment yesterday that my teeth looked like they have
worn, or
aged, 15 years beyond my actual age. That really shocked me! I would
have
expected to hear about this sooner...but then again, I understand that
I
have to do my part with pointing things out, questions, etc.

Any thoughts on the treatment? Commonality of this? Is he steering me
in the
right direction?

Thanks!

Chris

Reply to this Message

Newbie - 25 Oct 2006 17:12 GMT

>All,
>
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>
>Chris

You must address the cause of the abfraction which is clenching.
The NTI-tss *stops* clenching, no other device I know of can do this.

www.nti-tss.com
www.headacheprevention.com

Then later restore the abfraction leisons if deep,
(some are shallow enough to be 'watched'.)

Some occlusal adjustment may be necessary but this *will not*
stop the clenching activity, also known as parafunction.

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Mark & Steven Bornfeld - 25 Oct 2006 20:54 GMT

> All,
>
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>
> Chris

    If you have severe wear for your age, it is likely that clenching
and/or grinding are causing damage. I'm not personally on the NTI
bandwagon, but it's a fairly easy, relatively simple appliance to try.
    Abfractions as a clinical entity are relatively recent. In my school
days we usually chalked it up to toothbrush abrasion. While some cases
it's not clear that abfraction is the cause of these wear areas, esp. in
heavy clenchers it certainly SEEMS that the lesions are not always in
areas you'd expect toothbrush abrasion. It is of course possible to
have a combination of both mechanisms going on.
    I agree that if your parafunction is causing damage it should be
addressed. Deep abraded areas should be restored--I've seen some of
these lesions proceed right into the pulp of the tooth. But small ones
can be left alone, esp. if they don't seem to be advancing and there
isn't significant sensitivity.

Steve

Signature

Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001

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