Strong Teeth, Fresh Breath, Brighter You.  
  Fixing Worn and Crooked Teeth at 50: Affordable Smile Makeover for Adults Who Grind Their Teeth
Severity: 
Teeth Problems: 
Quick visual findings (from the photo)
- 
Incisal wear / flattened edges on the upper front teeth — classic for bruxism (tooth grinding). 
- 
Uneven incisal edges and small chips on the front teeth. 
- 
Color is mildly yellowed (surface staining/enamel tone). 
- 
Gums and surrounding tissue look okay in the photo (no obvious inflammation), but a full exam is needed to confirm periodontal health. 
- 
Overall: teeth are structurally intact (you said no cavities) but show wear and esthetic irregularities that are very treatable. 
Probable diagnosis
- 
Bruxism-related tooth wear (current or historic). 
- 
Minor enamel chipping & uneven incisal levels. 
- 
Mild discoloration / staining. 
Nothing in the photo looks like urgent disease (infection or large cavities), but this is NOT a substitute for an in-person exam and x-rays.
Immediate actions you can take (days → weeks)
- 
Get a custom night guard (occlusal splint) — highest priority. Protects teeth from further wear and prevents new chips. Many dental plans cover part of this cost. 
- 
Avoid hard foods (nuts, ice, hard candy) and habits like chewing pens. 
- 
Maintain anxiety care (your meds + relaxation) — lowering clenching will help healing and outcomes. 
- 
Book a dental exam with x-rays to confirm no hidden problems and to get dental records/photos for planning. 
Timeframe: a night guard can usually be made in 1–2 dental visits over 1–3 weeks.
Cosmetic & functional treatment options (ordered by invasiveness & cost)
You can combine these; most people do treatment in phases.
- 
Dental bonding (composite) — reshape and lengthen worn edges, repair small chips, improve symmetry. - 
Visits: usually 1–2 visits. 
- 
Recovery: immediate function; mild sensitivity possible a few days. 
- 
Cost: relatively affordable per tooth. 
 
- 
- 
Whitening (bleaching) — improves overall color before any bonding/veneers so restorations match. - 
Visits/options: professional in-office or take-home; 1–2 weeks for take-home, one session for in-office. 
- 
Minimal recovery. 
 
- 
- 
Orthodontics (straightening): - 
Clear aligners or braces to straighten teeth and correct bite (can also reduce wear long-term). 
- 
Timeframe: 6–24 months depending on how much movement you need; limited/front-only treatments can be 3–9 months. 
- 
Cost: varies; check insurance coverage for adult ortho. 
 
- 
- 
Veneers or porcelain restorations — for more uniform shape/length and color (more durable and esthetic than bonding but more expensive and irreversible). - 
Timeframe: 2–6 weeks from consult to completion. 
- 
Recovery: few days to adapt. 
 
- 
- 
Crowns — only if a tooth is severely worn or fractured; more invasive. 
Recommended typical sequence: Protect (night guard) → Straighten (if desired) → Whitening → Conservative bonding or veneers for final shape. Doing orthodontics before veneers/bonding gives more conservative tooth preparation.
“Timeframe to heal” & what to expect
- 
If you mean recovery after minor cosmetic work (bonding/whitening): hours to a few days (some sensitivity). 
- 
For orthodontics: active movement months to years, but daily life is normal during treatment. 
- 
For a night guard: you’re protected immediately once you start wearing it. 
If you mean “if it takes 14 days” — most dental cosmetic procedures don’t require a 14-day healing period except for surgical work (extractions, implants). Short procedures will not “heal into” a final result in 14 days; they’re immediate or take weeks for lab work.
Risks / what can scale up if you delay treatment
- 
Continued grinding → more enamel loss, larger chips, tooth sensitivity, possible need for more invasive restorations (crowns) later. 
- 
Uneven wear can change your bite and cause TMJ/jaw pain or headaches. 
- 
If discoloration or chips bother your confidence, emotional impact continues. 
 Delaying won’t usually cause infection if you have no cavities, but it may increase cost and invasiveness later.
Practical next steps — what you can do this week
- 
Call your dentist and ask for: - 
a full exam and bite evaluation, 
- 
a custom night guard quote and whether insurance covers it, 
- 
an estimate for bonding/veneers and orthodontic consult. 
 
- 
- 
Schedule an orthodontic consult (some offer free/low-cost consults). 
- 
Use the directory you mentioned (https://cebudentalimplants.com/map-dental-clinic) to find clinics near you and compare fees / financing. 
- 
Ask about payment plans and whether your plan has an orthodontic lifetime maximum (if applicable). 
Questions to bring to your dentist / orthodontist
- 
Do I need x-rays or study models now? 
- 
Can you evaluate my bite and bruxism? Can you make a night guard? Is it covered by my insurance? 
- 
For straightening: how long will treatment take for front-teeth alignment only? Are clear aligners an option? Cost estimate? 
- 
For esthetics: would bonding or veneers be better for my goals and budget? 
- 
If I delay treatment a year, what are likely changes to expect? 
Cost & insurance tips
- 
Night guards are often partially covered. Ask your insurer for a prior-authorization. 
- 
Dental schools can be much cheaper (supervised students). 
- 
Use in-house financing or split treatment into phases to spread costs across years. 
- 
Use your annual maximum wisely (start the high-priority items in year 1, cosmetic finishing in year 2 if needed). 
Final checklist you can print / show your dentist
- 
Night guard: yes 
- 
Full exam + x-rays: yes 
- 
Orthodontic consult: yes 
- 
Whitening before bonding/veneers: yes 
- 
Conservative bonding for chipped/worn edges: yes 
 
          



