What are my options for worn or broken-down teeth?

How worn, cracked and heavily filled teeth can be rebuilt, and how treatment is staged.

Dr Bill Kalis — Saturday 14 November 2026

Worn or broken-down teeth can usually be rebuilt, and the work can be staged over time. The right plan depends on why the teeth have worn, how much tooth is left and what you want to achieve.

I am Dr Bill Kalis, principal dentist at Padstow Dental in Padstow, Sydney. Rebuilding worn and heavily repaired teeth is a large part of my work.

Why do teeth wear down or break?

The common causes are:

• Grinding or clenching, often during sleep

• Acid from reflux, soft drinks, sports drinks or citrus

• Large old fillings that weaken the tooth around them

• Missing back teeth, which puts extra load on the teeth that remain

• Years of general wear

Most people have more than one cause, and the plan needs to deal with the cause as well as the damage.

How do I know if my teeth are worn?

Signs include teeth that look shorter or flatter, chipped edges, sensitivity to cold, fillings that keep breaking, and a bite that feels different. Wear is often painless, so it is commonly picked up at an examination.

What are the treatment options?

• Bonding: tooth-coloured material added to rebuild edges and surfaces

• Crowns or onlays: ceramic coverings that protect a weakened tooth. A crown at Padstow Dental is about $1,900

• Replacing missing teeth: implants, bridges or dentures to share the load

• A night guard: a custom splint that protects teeth from grinding

• Monitoring: for mild wear that is not progressing

What is a full-mouth rehabilitation?

It is a plan that rebuilds many or all of the teeth so they work together properly. It starts with records: photographs, scans and a study of your bite. The new tooth shapes are designed first, and you can see them before any permanent work is done.

Can treatment be staged?

Usually, yes. We deal with pain and infection first, then stabilise the teeth most at risk, then rebuild in sections. Staging spreads the cost and the appointments. We explain which steps can wait and which should not.

How long will the results last?

It depends on the cause, the materials and how you look after them. Wearing a night guard if you grind, keeping up daily cleaning and attending regular reviews all make a difference. Results vary between patients.

Fees are a guide only. Treatment costs are confirmed after your consultation.

Common questions about worn teeth

Do I have to treat every tooth?

No. Some teeth can be monitored, and we tell you which ones matter most.

Can I have treatment under sedation?

Yes, if you are suitable. Longer appointments can be done under IV sedation.

Will I need impressions?

Usually not. We use a digital scanner instead of impression trays for most cases.

Where do I start?

With a new patient examination, which is $245 and includes X-rays and a one-hour consultation.

Talk to us about rebuilding your teeth

Call Padstow Dental on 02 9773 4775 or send us an enquiry.

Written by Dr Bill Kalis, Principal Dentist at Padstow Dental. BDS (Hons), University of Sydney, 1994. Graduate Certificate in Clinical Dentistry, University of Adelaide, 2007. Past State and Federal President of the Australian Society of Implant Dentistry. Dr Kalis is a general dentist with a focus on implant, surgical and IV sedation dentistry.