Tooth Wear
Worn teeth or chipped teeth can be expertly restored at Park Place Dental Practice. The team led by Mark Hill, are highly trained to treat the growing problem of tooth wear throughout Wales, the UK and Ireland. Mark is an expert in restorative dentistry and has trained internationally and lectures in the treatment of Tooth Wear
There is a growing problem with the levels of Tooth Surface Loss (TSL) we are seeing in the UK. All the evidence points at the rising levels of TSL, especially erosion we are seeing amongst our patients. More alarmingly erosion is being seen in younger patients, especially children.
The extent of the problem.
With these growing levels of TSL is is important clinical teams have some important skills:
The most important part of managing TSL in your practice should be the early identification of high risk patients and to start effective, preventative treatment to stop further TSL. The identification and elimination of causative factors such as diet, stomach acid, habits or occlusal problems should be the priority.
The extent of the problem.
- Over 50% of children and adolescents have TSL due to erosion. (DoH 2000).
- 1 in 3 young adults are showing signs of TSL, with erosion being most prevalent in adults aged 26-35.
- 37% of 11-13 year olds are showing signs of TSL. Bartlett DW et al J.Dent 2013; 41: 1007-1013
With these growing levels of TSL is is important clinical teams have some important skills:
- an awareness that this is a serious problem being faced in clinical practice. We need the training to be able to identify the main causes of the TSL. This include dietary habits or medical conditions that expose the teeth to excessive acids, pathological occlusal forces which over time will wear the teeth and habits such as brushing inappropriately.
- the use of a simple, rapid scoring system to be able to document TSL effectively in the same way the BPE scoring system does for periodontal disease. This is very important as the rise in legal claims against dentists for failing to recognise and manage TSL will invariably increase over time.
- an effective care pathway for the management of TSL in their practices.
- the training and skills to be able to treat TSL when caught early and the ability to refer cases once they have reached a higher degree of severity.
The most important part of managing TSL in your practice should be the early identification of high risk patients and to start effective, preventative treatment to stop further TSL. The identification and elimination of causative factors such as diet, stomach acid, habits or occlusal problems should be the priority.
The different types of tooth wear.
There are four main causes of TSL - to find out more about them and how the appearance and care each type differs please go to this page.
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BEWE Scoring System
In 2008 Dave Bartlett and colleagues presented a simple scoring system - the Basic Erosive Wear Examination or BEWE scoring system. To learn more please go to this page.
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