Worn Teeth (Abrasion vs. Attrition)
Abrasions
Wear of a tooth from inappropriate chewing (tennis balls, stones, cages, fences, leash, biting fur due to pruritis or itching)
Treatment Options
- If the dentin is exposed and the tooth is living: sealant and bonding is indicated.
- If the pulp is exposed and thus the tooth is dead: extraction vs. root canal therapy is indicated depending on the tooth.
Attrition
- Wear of a tooth from “wearing or rubbing” against other teeth
- Physiological: normal wear due to mastication (chewing)
- Pathological: abnormal wear due to malocclusion (abnormal alignment of teeth) or bruxism (tooth grinding)
Treatment Options
- Correct Malocclusion (orthodontics vs. extractions) if appropriate
- If the dentin is exposed and the tooth is living—sealant and bonding is indicated.
- If the pulp is exposed and thus the tooth is dead—extraction vs. root canal therapy is indicated depending on the tooth.