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Have you noticed your teeth feeling or looking flatter than they used to?
Maybe teeth feel more sensitive especially with hot or cold liquids? You could be experiencing something called dental attrition.
Dental attrition is actually more common than most people realize and it’s treatable!
At Partha Dental, we have treated and prevented dental attrition in thousands of patients across South India, and whether you’ve just started to notice some wear or you’re experiencing severe wear of your teeth, this guide will take you through all the information you need to know about attrition — from dental attrition symptomsand causes to dental attrition treatment options and costs.
1. What is Dental Attrition?
Dental attrition is the slow wear of your teeth as they tend to grind against each other with general biting and chewing, or due to teeth grinding at night (also known as bruxism).
Dental attrition occurs as you wear down your teeth over time and you may not even know it its happening initially. With wear happening primarily to the enamel, your teeth become shorter, flatter, and more sensitive.
Attrition is different from erosion (which is caused by acids) or abrasion (from brushing too hard), as these causes of tooth wear are all due to contact with teeth.
If you’re noticing these dental attrition symptoms:
- Yellow teeth (the result of loss of enamel),
- Felt a difference in your bite compared to previously,
- Jaw pain, or headaches (or am I grinding my teeth in my sleep?),
- Chipped or cracked teeth,
- Teeth feel shorter than they were.
You should schedule a dental exam. The earlier we catchdental attrition symptoms, the less we will have to deal with down the road.
2. Dental Attrition Causes?
There isn’t any single reason – a variety of habits/things can contribute to dental attrition causes, but the most common include:
1. Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Many people will grind their teeth both at night without realizing it. Most of the time teeth grinding is associated with stress, anxiety, and/or sleep disorders.
2. Getting Older
Our teeth naturally wear minimally as we get older, particularly when there are bite problems or missing teeth.
3. Bite Problems
If your upper and lower teeth do not meet properly, there will be uneven pressure on your back teeth which could cause more wear.
4. Repetitive Habits
This includes chewing pens, chewing ice, or any other habits done repetitively over time.
5. Using Teeth as Tools
This may include tearing open packages with your teeth; this slowly damages teeth over time too.
How We Manage Dental Attrition at Partha Dental
The positive aspect?Dental attrition is manageable, and at Partha Dental, we prioritize patient-specific treatment protocols based on where the dental wear is at.
Minor to Early Stage
We catch it in the early stages of attrition
- night guards for protection from night grinding/tooth wear.
- small bite corrections to guide your teeth back into position.
- lifestyle coaching if there’s an aspect of stress or habits contributing to your problem.
Increased Attrition
If dentin (the inner layer of your tooth) has been revealed:
- Tooth-colored fillings or bonding to fill in worn areas.
- Crowns or onlays to restore shape and to protect from further damage.
- Braces or aligners (if the bite needs correction).
Severe Attrition
Has attacked to the point where your teeth are wearing down and your bite height has diminished:
- You are looking at full mouth reconstruction using crowns, bridges or implants.
- You may be looking at a smile makeover to accomplish your function and aesthetics.
- You may be looking at bite rehabilitation to get your jaws back into harmony.
If you are facing any of these symptoms, you might require severe attrition treatment.
Whether you are suffering from one tooth or a whole smile, we have the technology and expertise needed to successfully restore your lost items in a way that’s safe and comfortable.
3. How Much Will Dental Attrition Cost?
The dental attrition cost will depend on how severe your condition is and what kind of dental attrition treatment you will need.
Here’s a rough cost estimate.
| Treatment Type | Cost Range |
| Night Guard / Splint | ₹3,000 – ₹8,000 |
| Composite Bonding | ₹2,000 – ₹4,000 (per tooth) |
| Dental Crowns | ₹5,000 – ₹15,000 (per crown) |
| Full Mouth Rehabilitation | ₹80,000 – ₹3,00,000+ |
| Braces / Aligners | ₹30,000 – ₹75,000+ |
We also offer EMI and flexible payment options so your budget doesn’t ruin your smile.
4. What Will Happen If You Ignore Dental Attrition?
If left untreated dental attrition can lead too:
- Nerve injury and tooth ache
- Chipped teeth and inevitable tooth loss
- Issues blending and clear speaking
- Jaw issues, chronic headaches
- Sunken face and aged look from short teeth
The sooner we intervene, the easier (and cheaper) the treatment is.
Let’s be real: Things you can do to prevent it
Even if you are currently fine, there are simple actions you can take to prevent further tooth wear:
Wear a night guard while you sleep if you are grinding or bruxing your teeth
- Come back every 6 months for your dentist check-up
- Don’t chew on hard objects like pens or ice during the day
- Don’t ignore orthodontic (crooked teeth) and bite concerns and delay treatment.
- Manage your stress — it helps!
Why Choose Partha Dental?
We know you’re not just another patient. At Partha Dental we provide a highly personalized care experience based on experience, compassion and the latest tools.
- 120+ clinics throughout South India
- 28+ years of trusted dental care
- Experts in both full mouth rehabilitation and cosmetic smile design
- Friendly, pain-free care
- Transparent pricing and EMI care plan options
Book your FREE consultation today!
Don’t let worn teeth erode your confidence
Smile protection is important to your health.
Call us now – 04041420000 and make an appointment with Partha Dental to help you move towards your next steps to a stronger, healthier smile.
5. FAQs
Q: Is dental attrition common?
Yes! This is usually in adults 35 years and older and is often made worse through grinding or clenching their teeth.
Q: If my teeth are worn down, can I just have my teeth re-grown?
Unfortunately, enamel does not regrow, but what we can do is build up and restore the shape using various professional methods.
Q: Is it painful to treat dental attrition?
Not even close. Any treatment from simple restorations to full mouth rehabilitation can be done by using state of the art techniques to keep you relaxed at all times.
Q: I grind my teeth at night, should I be worried?
You should definitely have it checked out. One of the simplest preventive measures can be a night guard to limit the long-term damage being caused. Read more
Disclaimer:
The prices mentioned in this blog are indicative and may vary based on the severity of the condition, technology used, and materials suggested by the Dentist. They are accurate as of the date of publishing and subject to change as per clinic policy. Third-party or AI-generated estimates may not reflect actual clinic pricing. For accurate costs, please visit your nearest Partha Dental clinic.
