I Have an Abfraction How to Stop Them?
Hello. I am a 21-year-old female. Around 4 or 5 years ago I noticed a notch on my tooth at my gumline. I went to the dentist and found out it is a thing called an abfraction. The dentist was pretty vague though and said it was not a big deal. I don't need to get it filled, but I could if I want. Well here is where my dilemmas come in. 1. The dentist said he would have to drill or rough up the tooth before filling it (drilling is something I am totally against) 2. If I do not find out the cause the filling may just pop out. 3. I am not sure if a night guard would be helpful as I think I got mine from clenching my teeth at night. If anyone can give me advice I would really appreciate it.
Do you want to answer this question? Login or register now to answer this question.
Answer: How to stop abfractions
By Sarah h
Dental Professional
Abfractions can be a result of brushing too hard, your bite (how your teeth come together), and clenching or grinding.Be sure you are using a soft bristle tooth brush and are not applying too much pressure. If you are pressing too hard, the bristles will fray easily, and you can mechanically breakdown the protective enamel layer. If your teeth are not in the proper alignment, it can cause flexion of the tooth and over time small pieces of enamel fleck off creating a notch in the top of the tooth closest to the gingival margin. Clear aligner therapy is a great way to correct and prevent further damage from taking place on surrounding teeth. Grinding and clenching can also create abfractions, a night guard can protect your teeth however it will not reverse the damage that has taken place. Once the abfraction reaches a certain depth, it is necessary to place a protective bonded layer over it to prevent caries. The exposed layer is dentin which is not as strong as the enamel layer that is chipped away.
More Questions from General Dental
Hole in a filling
I had a filling done on the side of a back tooth as there was a slight hole where a filling had been done many many years ago but had come away. The dentist noticed a hairline crack so filled this hole with a white filling and didn’t need to drill...
What procedure would help fix the gap and crooked of my two front teeth?
I have been living under fear and was a victim of bullying because of my teeth. They are very unaligned....the ones that concern me the most are the two front teeth they are crooked and there is a very wide noticeable gap there. I hate it and it's...
White Bumps - Harmless or Urgent?
I just noticed 3-4 days ago that I have tiny gums colored and white bumps near the roots of my teeth but in-between the teeth (primarily on the gingiva or border between gingiva and gums). They are semi hard and painless. Some appear in clusters. I...
Military and teeth
Im planning to enlist in the military however one needs to not have any dental treatment to join. Im planning on quitting wearing my retainers so I can enlist and I alreadly notice its starting to shift back. Now I cant put both of my Jaws lined up....
I have a deep overbite.
I have had a deep bite and no dentist wants to treat it. My top front teeth completely overlaps my bottom teeth, I have issues with speaking and eating. I have developed TMJD and a trainee dentist told me there is no way that my deep bite caused...
Back gum is swollen but doesn’t hurt no infection
My gum is a little swollen but it doesn’t hurt unless I move it or press on it it’s on my last back molar. Should I be worried? I can’t afford a dentist and have no insurance but I can eat fine and drink fine. Should I be super concerned I gargled...
Is the bump on my tongue cause for concern?
Hi, my name is Sarah, and I'm a 25-year-old female. I have a bump on the lateral right side of my tongue (see picture). In diameter, I'd say it's about the size of a pencil eraser. The other side of my tongue does not look like this at all. There's...
Should I get new braces? Can’t I just get new retainer?
I used braces for one and half years, then I got the plastic clear retainer and was told to wear it every night for 6 months. But, I always forgot to wear it then when I went back to my orthodontist, he told me to wear my retainer for another 3...
What are dental sealants supposed to feel like?
I had dental sealants on my molars when I was 7, I just got them redone at 22. Unfortunately, my molars where the sealants are placed feel very chalky, not slick like the rest of my teeth.But there aren’t bite problems or sharp pieces. I’m wondering...
What are the benefits of regular brushing and flossing?
What are the benefits of regular brushing and flossing? What are the social health benefits, physical health benefits, and mental health benefits of regular brushing and flossing? I am a health student and this is research about teeth care.