Can You Fix “See-Through” Teeth Without Doing Crowns?

A very important role of a trusted dental professional is for the clinician to assess each patient to see if they have existing habits or situations that would put them at risk for decay, periodontal disease, and other types of wear and tear over time. Although cavities and infections are in need of immediate attention, often it’s the gradual damage that can cause some serious long-term problems if not detected early. Thinning enamel is rarely sensitive in the beginning stages but there are quite a few things that will cause it.

There are a couple main processes that cause translucency. Probably the most common cause is bruxism. Bruxism is more commonly known as teeth grinding. The back and forth movement of the tips of the teeth typically happens subconsciously in ones sleep. The constant movement of the teeth against each other causes the back side of the teeth to wear down making the teeth thin and appear translucent. Another common cause of translucency is acid erosion. Acid erosion can be caused by medical conditions such as acid reflux or bulimia. Acidic foods and drinks such as lemons can also cause acid erosion especially if the patient is keeping the food at the front of their teeth.

To prevent these situations from happening, the best solution for bruxism is a night guard. In regard to acid erosion, there are certain medical interventions such as medication that can help and decreasing the consumption of highly acidic foods.

If a patient is seeking treatment options for translucency, the gold standard is a crown. However, if the patient would like to consider other treatment plans, the options include bonding or veneers. Bonding entails applying tooth-colored composite resin to the natural tooth. Veneers are “thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth.” While more expensive, veneers are a better option than bonding due to durability and over-all better appearance. Even still, crowns are the best course of treatment. This is due to the fact that often when translucency is present, often so are internal fracture lines. Bonding can come away from the teeth and there is more of a risk for veneers to break, chip, or pop off versus a crown which provides full coverage and support.

In conclusion, there are treatment options available other than a crown for translucency. Be that as it may, a crown is considered the best course of treatment due to its longevity and cosmetics.

References: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/veneers