| Sedation Dentistry Benefits |
Eroding Dental Enamel
Tooth enamel damage can occur for a number of reasons.
With today's high consumption of popular soda pop drinks and the gaining popularity of certain high energy drinks, destruction of dental enamel from the acids within the drinks can be potentially devastating.
Stomach acids are also a destructive agent. Persons who are Bulimic or have refluxive disease often sustain damage to the lingual surfaces of both their anterior and posterior teeth. Left untreated, considerable restorative efforts may be required to maintain proper oral health.
Lemons also can compromise the integrity of dental enamel. Patients who have acquired long standing habits of eating or sucking lemons typically require any number of restorative procedures to restore the surfaces of their teeth.
Crowns, veneers and in extreme cases, tooth replacement is required for treating enamel erosion.
This gallery contains several examples of enamel damage accruing to different forms of acid erosion.
A male patient in his late 20's. Excessive consumption of the popular Mountain Dew beverage has caused considerable damage to the surfaces and structures of his upper teeth. Damage to the lower teeth is limited to enamel surfaces.
Multiple crowns and veneers are the most popular treatment solution for this extent of enamel and tooth structure damage. |
|
Mountain Dew Enamel Erosion
Paul Sussman, DMD |
Near total destruction of teeth. A 20-something year old computer programmer with a six pack a day habit of drinking Mountain Dew. Due to the near total devastation, bite and occlusal problems were a problem.
For this degree of tooth erosion that has affected every single tooth structure, comprehensive tooth replacements (bridges, dentures, implants) and enamel replacements (veneers) are usually indicated, along with rebuilding a new occlusal relationship. |
|
Extreme Acid Damage
Mitchell Pohl, DDS |
An unusual case of eroding tooth enamel that appears to be affecting the lingual surfaces and especially the incisal (biting edges) of all tooth structures. The lower arch of teeth are similarly affected. Erosion from acids and, in some cases, medications are primary causes of this type of tooth structure damage.
Recommended treatments may include multiple crowns and veneers, bridgework, dental implants, dentures, partials. |
|
Lingual Surfaces - Incisal Edge Enamel Erosion
Paul Sussman, DMD |
Another severe example of compounded acid destruction of tooth enamel and individual tooth structures due to overconsumption of heavily sweetened, caffeinated, carbonated soft drinks... along with bad oral health care and hygiene habits.
Similar to other cases depicted, this degree of tooth damage would require combinations of comprehensive tooth replacements (bridges, dentures, implants) and enamel replacements (veneers), along with recreating a normalized occlusal plane. |
|
Poor Hygiene and Acid Damage
Mitchell Pohl, DDS |
|
