Can Constant Grinding Cause My Composite Filling to Deteriorate?
By Gertrude Lee | Published on February 18, 2011 | 0 Comments
Nighttime grinding can damage teeth in countless ways, and one of the most common – and least discussed – issues that can result from constant biting and grinding is a wearing down of any composite fillings on the back teeth. According to Rocklin Family Dental Group‘s Dr. Gertrude Lee, a well-known dentist who offers dental implants and more in Rocklin, CA, nighttime grinding is one of the leading causes of composite filling deterioration.
As Dr. Lee explains, people who grind their teeth at night often do so with an extreme amount of force. Not only can grinding teeth together with this type of brute force cause minor cracks and fractures, but it can also cause the slow but steady deterioration of any composite fillings or crowns on the teeth near the back of the mouth. Although virtually any tooth in the mouth can be affected by nighttime grinding, Dr. Lee says that these issues are most apparent on the first molars.
In the past few years, Dr. Lee says, this has become an especially common problem among patients at her practice in Rocklin, CA. Not only are people coming in for dental implants and other cosmetic procedures on a regular basis, but an increasing number of adult patients are coming in with signs of severe nighttime clenching and grinding as well.
Dr. Lee attributes this rise in the number of people with nighttime grinding problems to the changes in the economy. Many people unknowingly take out their internal stresses on their teeth during the night, and this can cause severe problems from an oral health perspective.
In order to wear down a composite filling or a crown, a person has to be grinding for more than just one or two nights. Dr. Lee says that it takes a lot of force to wear down a composite filling, and even more to break a crown or a tooth. Nonetheless, these problems are coming up more and more often at her practice.
When a patient comes in with a severely worn down composite filling, Dr. Lee will talk to him or her about what could be causing the issue. In cases where nighttime grinding is clearly the culprit, she will recommend that the patients invest in a custom mouthpiece tto wear at night.
Dr. Lee recommends custom mouthpieces made from hard acrylic materials rather than the rubbery mouthpieces and night guards sold at most pharmacies because custom appliances are more likely to hold up over a period of years. Additionally, custom mouthpieces – which Dr. Lee has made for her patients at a nearby dental laboratory – fit better and are less bulky than the generic night guards that many people buy at their local stores.
Stopping a person’s nighttime clenching and grinding problem as quickly as possible is very important to Dr. Lee, because this is a problem that can lead to a host of other issues. In addition to cracking crowns and wearing down tooth fillings, people who grind their teeth on a frequent basis can also cause the type of tooth sensitivity that makes it difficult to eat.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.