I am quite upset and don’t know how to get this fixed. I had some open spots at the gumline that were quite sensitive. My dentist placed composite fillings on them. The problem I have is they do not match the remainder of my teeth at all. It’s humiliating to think that they are seen when I smile. Is it possible to remove the fillings as they are without damaging my teeth any further? If so, how do you propose I should fix this?

Meredith

Dear Meredith,

Those sensitive areas at the top of your gumline are called abfraction lesions. We used to believe they were created by brushing your teeth too aggressively. However, now we think it has more to do with clenching your teeth. Clenching flexes the teeth at the gumline which causes the tooth to wear away at that point.

My guess is your dentist meant well but was in over their head a bit. There is a way to remove this without damaging your teeth. However, I’d like you to go to see a dentist with more expertise to have this done. They can use dental burs to remove the enamel without causing damage to the underlying structure.

Then, they’ll be able to match the dental bonding to your natural tooth structure and color seamlessly. You won’t be able to tell where the dental bonding starts and the natural tooth begins. One word of caution, though if you choose an expert cosmetic dentist, they will already know this. When you are dealing with structure at the gumline, the composite material needs to be more flexible than most so it doesn’t pop out under pressure. Two brands I would recommend are Silux Plus or and Renamel.

You may not realize you are clenching your teeth. Most people do it when you are stressed or asleep, so you are not paying attention to it. However, it will cause significant damage to your teeth and jaw. In fact, it could lead to TMJ Disorder. I want to suggest you see a dentist who treats TMJ so you can be proactive before more damage is done.

This blog is brought to you by West Seneca Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Warren Krutchick.