How Can I Have my Severely Worn Dentition Repaired?
Severely worn dentitions can make one very self-conscious, but with the right prosthetic approach, Dr. Gerald Marlin can completely restore both function and confidence.
Severely worn dentitions can make one very self-conscious, but they can be completely repaired with crowns. Often these patients suffer from TMJ issues or bruxism that caused the wear. Veneers should not be used to repair the severely worn dentition, because they are not strong enough to resist the intense forces that caused the teeth to break down in the first place.
Mr. M was referred by his orthodontist for a smile makeover (Fig. 1), improving the function of his anterior teeth, which he had flattened (Fig. 2). After completion of his orthodontic therapy to realign his front teeth, we hand-crafted new crowns in our in-house laboratory having the right shape to match his lip line, facial pattern, and coloration and translucency.

Fig. 1: Severely Worn Dentition Making Him Self-Conscious

Fig. 2: Severe Grinding Habit Causing Years of Wear

Fig. 3: Custom Fabricated, Strong Crowns

Fig. 4: A Rejuvenated Smile
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my new crowns last?
With meticulous home care and regular check-ups, you can expect your prosthetic crowns to last 10-15 years or more.
Will the procedure hurt?
We use local anesthesia and offer gentle sedation - most patients feel minimal to no discomfort during and after treatment.
Why not use veneers?
Veneers lack the thickness and strength needed to withstand the forces that caused your teeth to wear. Full-coverage crowns provide long-term protection.
How soon can I eat normally?
Most patients resume a normal diet immediately. We recommend avoiding very hard or sticky foods for the first week.
What maintenance is required?
Brush gently, floss daily, and see us every 3-6 months for hygiene visits to keep your crowns - and your smile - in perfect condition.
Patients with significant bruxism or heavier bite forces often benefit from an All-on-6 full-arch implant configuration, which spreads occlusal load across six implants instead of four for improved long-term predictability under heavy load.
See How We Resolve These Problems
Our patient success stories show real cases and real results. Browse outcomes from a specialist prosthodontist with decades of experience and 3,900+ implants placed.
Related Patient Success Stories
Explore similar patient success stories demonstrating our expertise in advanced prosthetic dentistry.
Before
After How Severe Bone Loss and Bite Dysfunction Were Rebuilt with All-on-6 Implants and a Milled Zirconia Hybrid Prosthesis
The patient presented with severe bone loss, advanced periodontal disease, malocclusion, and a dysfunctional bite that required full-arch rebuilding.
Before
After Implant Supported Reconstruction: Failing Bridgework and Missing Back Teeth Rebuilt with Coordinated Specialist Care
Referred by another dental specialist with severe bone resorption on the upper left, multiple broken-down lower teeth requiring extraction, and failing lower back teeth that had left the bite without solid support. No single procedure, and no single provider working alone, could rebuild a situation this interconnected.
Before
After Repairing the Worn Out Dentition: How Severely Worn Teeth Were Rebuilt for Long-Term Function
Decades of gradual wear had shortened, flattened, and darkened the visible teeth. The dentition still functioned day to day, which made it easy to postpone, but every year of additional wear was removing tooth structure that could never grow back.
Related Articles
Deepen your knowledge with additional insights on this topic.
Full Mouth Reconstruction When Jaw Surgery Fails: How Expert Prosthodontic Care Helped a Patient Rebuild Her Smile
When jaw surgery fails, expert prosthodontic care can rebuild your smile. See how Dr. Marlin helped a patient recover with advanced restorative dentistry.
Full Mouth Reconstruction How Can I Have my Severely Worn Dentition Repaired?
Severely worn teeth can be restored with full-mouth rehabilitation using custom crowns and precision prosthodontic techniques in Washington, DC.
Full Mouth Reconstruction How Long Does a Full Mouth Reconstruction Take?
Full mouth reconstruction timelines vary by individual case. Learn what to expect when comprehensively rebuilding teeth and bite function.