When you bend a stick too much, the stick breaks. When you grind on a tooth too much, the tooth flexes and the area that bends dissolves leaving a notch on the root. The notch is at the bottom front of the dental crown near the gums and is called a dental abfraction. Years ago dentists and hygienists believed that it was from brushing too hard but many patients who do not brush have these notches. Dentists now know that the notches are not due to hard bristle brushes or hard brushing.

          The most common teeth to suffer with dental abfractions are the bicuspid teeth, especially the upper bicuspids but the notches can also be found on cuspids and molars. The notch is created because the minerals that form the dental root dissolve due to the grinding pressures. This exposes the tooth nerve and causes tooth sensitivity to hot and cold. Desensitizing toothpastes like Denquel or Sensodyne help reduce the sensitivity, but the real cause is tooth grinding.

          Some dentists attempt to fill the abfraction with white dental fillings called composites but because the tooth still flexes and bends, these white filling often pop out leaving a bigger hole than the original notch. We recommend that patients first get soft grinding guards before attempting to fill their notches.

          The dentists at the Atlanta Dental Group PC are dedicated to their patients' good health and well being. You are welcome to join our family of patients. If you have abfractions and would like to consult with Dr. Padolsky, make an appointment at 404-874-7428.