How Severely Worn Upper Teeth Were Rebuilt Into a More Stable, Natural-Looking Result

Severe upper wear rebuilt with full-arch restorative planning

Replacing severely worn upper teeth in Washington, DC. This documented case at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry rebuilt an upper arch that had been progressively shortened and destabilized over years of wear. Treatment was planned and completed by Dr. Gerald Marlin, D.M.D., M.S.D., a prosthodontist focused on full mouth reconstruction and complex restorative care.

The patient traveled from Bethesda for a specialist evaluation after noticing that her upper teeth and bite were continuing to change despite night guard use.

The presenting condition

The patient came in because her smile and her bite no longer reflected the way she wanted to look or function. She had been wearing a night guard, but the existing damage had already moved past what the night guard could protect against.

Why this case required prosthodontic-level planning

A case like this cannot be solved one tooth at a time. The wear was systemic across the upper arch. Replacing two or three front teeth without addressing the broader bite would have produced restorations that looked better for a short period and then wore down on the same uneven foundation that caused the original problem. The right approach is to fix the bite and the supporting tooth structure first, then build the esthetics on top of that corrected foundation. That is the discipline that separates a prosthodontic full-arch case from cosmetic single-tooth work. For patients who want treatment completed correctly once, the most important decision is not simply which restorations are used, but whether the bite, tooth structure, esthetics, and long-term function are planned together before treatment begins.

The treatment plan

The outcome

The case moved from severely worn upper-arch teeth and an uneven, compromised smile to a more balanced, natural-looking, and structurally sound result. The tooth length is restored. The proportions match the patient’s facial features. The restorative margins are smooth, the shade is natural, and the bite is stable.

Who this case may sound familiar to

This story tends to resonate with patients in a few recognizable situations:

• You have been wearing a night guard for years, but your upper front teeth have continued to shorten and your bite no longer feels right.
• You are starting to see exposed margins or visible wear on your front teeth and you can tell the problem is beyond what a single repair can solve.
• You have been told the answer is veneers on a few front teeth, and you are not sure whether that addresses what is actually happening across your bite.
• You want the underlying structure rebuilt properly so the new restorations actually last, not redone every few years.
• You would rather invest once in a coordinated full-arch plan than continue patching individual teeth as they fail.

If any of those describe where you are, a consultation with Dr. Marlin can establish the diagnostic picture and the specific options for your case.

Frequently asked questions

Can severely worn teeth be rebuilt without removing the natural tooth roots?

In many cases yes. When the underlying roots are still structurally sound, full-coverage restorations can rebuild the visible tooth shape and length without removing the natural root structure. A prosthodontic evaluation determines whether the existing roots can support the planned restoration or whether additional steps are needed.

What is a custom wax-up and why is it used before treatment begins?

A custom wax-up is a physical preview of the proposed final result, hand-shaped in wax on a model of the patient’s teeth. It allows the patient to see and approve the planned shape, length, and proportions before any treatment begins, and it serves as a precise blueprint for the laboratory and clinical work that follows.

Why is crown lengthening sometimes needed when restoring worn teeth?

When teeth have worn down significantly, there may not be enough exposed tooth structure for a new restoration to seat properly and remain stable long term. Crown lengthening adjusts the gum line and supporting bone to expose the required amount of tooth structure, which allows the new restoration to fit correctly and function predictably.

What are Emax crowns and why are they used for full-arch restorations?

Emax is a lithium disilicate ceramic material known for its strength and esthetic properties. It is chosen for full-arch upper restorations because it combines durability with a natural appearance, and it can be milled or pressed to precise specifications in a dental laboratory.

How long does a full upper-arch reconstruction typically take?

Treatment timelines vary based on the specific findings and whether supporting procedures such as crown lengthening or staged restorative work are required. Cases of this complexity are often sequenced across several months with healing time between major steps. The prosthodontic team discusses the expected timeline directly with each patient after a comprehensive evaluation.

More about the work behind this case

This case sits at the intersection of full mouth reconstruction, natural aesthetic rehabilitation, and custom-crafted crowns. The wax-up preview and the in-house laboratory control are part of the practice philosophy that supports cases of this complexity.

Elite Prosthetic Dentistry treats patients from across the DMV including Bethesda, Chevy Chase, McLean, Arlington, Potomac, and Great Falls, with a record of out-of-area patients traveling to the practice for complex restorative care.