Worn Teeth Case: From Veneers to Crowns and Composite Bonding
Meet our patient who previously had veneers placed about 10 years ago to address worn front teeth. While the veneers provided a cosmetic lift, they did not protect the rear (palatal) surfaces, and the front-only approach left the back surfaces untreated and vulnerable. This led to further tooth wear and sensitivity in the upper arch and mild wear with early dentine exposure on the lower incisors.
What was done
Assessment & plan: Address upper palatal wear and sensitivity while achieving a high cosmetic result for the upper teeth.
Upper teeth: Open/adjust the bite to create space for durable restoration. Choices included porcelain crowns to maximise aesthetics and long-term protection or more simple composite bonding of the palatal surfaces.
Lower teeth: Minor composite bonding to preserve function and improve wear resistance.
Treatment goal: Restore function, protect exposed dentine, and achieve a natural, harmonious smile.
Our clinical approach focuses on both aesthetics and long-term function, ensuring that the patient’s bite is balanced and protected.
Results: Before & After
From the before-and-after photos, you can see:
- A cosmetic improvement with a natural-looking upper arch.
- Enhanced protection for exposed dentine and reduced sensitivity.
- Improved bite harmony and longer-term wear resistance.
We plan to complete the makeover with the remaining upper-right side during the next visit.
Treatment Gallery
After Treatment
After Treatment
After Treatment
Why this approach works
Comprehensive protection: Restoring both the front and back surfaces of teeth to shield dentine and reduce sensitivity.
Long-term durability: Porcelain crowns offer superior wear resistance and aesthetics for the upper teeth.
Functional Bite correction: Opening the bite creates space for durable restorations and improves chewing efficiency.
Do you need our help?
If you’re experiencing any of the following our friendly and experienced team can help you explore options tailored to your smile goals and bite health.
- Tooth wear or flattening of front teeth
- Dentinal sensitivity, especially to temperature
- Uneven bite or functional wear on several teeth
