daveywavey1...@hotmail.com wrote:

The vertical height of the face is, among other things, controlled by
the occlusion mainly of the posterior teeth. If those teeth are worn
down and lose height, the vertical dimension will be reduced, possibly
leading to an altered appearance and wrinkles. Of course this is
something that will happen over many years and can be more easily seen
in edentulous people using old dentures.
Protecting the teeth in "everyday" bruxism can be easily done with
simple mouthguards. It also helps if the teeth remain healthy and you
avoid extensive restorations.
If someone already has that kind of problem, restoring the vertical
dimension is a lengthy process requiring full mouth rehabilitation.
This takes an experienced dentist, carefully calibrated work and
patience. Oh, and money as well!

Regards,
George

    Well, there are enough real problems with bruxism to worry about.  As
George said, this goes on over many years.  It has been said that
consistent clenching can cause hypertrophy of the elevators of the
mandible (chiefly the masseter--think Bill Clinton clenching while
talking--I don't think only dentists noticed this).  Some patients can
get really big masseters.  While we're on the subject of politicians, AZ
senator John McCain has pretty prominent masseters (and flat ears, that
make them look even bigger) Of course, McCain has significant scarring
from the skin cancer surgeries he's had.  My point is he looks like a
typical bruxer.  Except many symtomatic bruxers are petite women.  So
I'd worry about your function, and the degree of tooth wear, and muscle
spasm, and not worry too much about a short face.
    Yes, restoring severely worn dentition is challenging and expensive.

Steve