Acid erosion

**Dominik** · 27-07-2009, 05:38 PM

Hiya

I have had acid reflux for a number of years now and unfortunately this has caused acid erosion on my teeth and left a number of my teeth worn down and ugly looking. I have now managed to bring my acid reflux under better control, although I still suffer from it to some extent, its not as bad as it used to be.

I have seen my dentist and he has recommended covering my acid erosion damaged teeth with porcelain veneers, so that they could look like normal natural teeth once again.

I would like to know, if other than porcelain veneers, I have any other options for my teeth? I have heard that with porcelain veneers, teeth will have to be shaved down a bit, is that the case? Considering that my teeth are worn down a lot already, is shaving them down not going to damage them further?

**Dr Vahid Motahar** · 29-07-2009, 12:15 AM

Hi,

Thank you for your question.

Acid erosion due to gastric refluxes usually tends to affect the sides of the teeth are we dentists refer to palatal of linugal. These sides cannot be easily restored with porcelain veneers. I have mostly repaired these kind of erosion with composite restorations first and then try to identify the cause and work with the patient until the cause is identified and attempts are made by the patient to stop it.

In some cases where damage is too much again teeth are stabilised by means of such measures as mentioned above. In you case it must be very badly affected your teeth if the sides towards your lips are affected. AAlso if there is so much damage that justify the need for veneers, probably no tooth removal is necessary as a lot of tooth is already lost due to erosion. The alternative to porcelain veneers would be composite veneers. But they may not be suitable in every case and must be assessed cinically.