Is cervical abrasion a cavity?
No. Unlike a cavity, where bacteria dissolve the tooth, cervical abrasion is a notch formed when the neck of the tooth (the cervical area) wears down from force and acid. At first it barely catches a fingernail; then a notch becomes visible and the tooth starts to feel sensitive to cold water.
That said, not every spot that looks worn down is abrasion. Areas where the gums have receded and exposed the root, cavities at the neck of the tooth, and cracks can look similar, so I sort these out before filling.
What causes the neck of a tooth to wear down?
It's rare for there to be only one cause; usually several causes overlap.
| Cause | How it wears the tooth | Habit to check |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | Pressing hard and scrubbing side to side wears away the neck | Whether your toothbrush bristles splay out quickly |
| Acid | Carbonated drinks and sour foods weaken the surface | Whether you often drink acidic beverages |
| Biting force | Grinding and clenching concentrate force at the neck | Whether your jaw feels stiff in the morning |
If only one tooth is deeply worn even though you brush gently, I don't look only at the toothbrush. I check whether force is concentrating on that tooth in your bite. If the notch is just filled while the force remains, the area next to it wears down again or the filling comes off.
Cervical abrasion often occurs on the canines and premolars. They sit at the corners of the dental arch, so the toothbrush hits them hard, and they're also where sideways chewing force concentrates.
Do worn-down teeth always need to be filled?
Not every notch gets filled; the decision is made by looking at depth, sensitivity, and cause together. Some teeth are deeply worn but comfortable, and some are shallow but sensitive, so I don't decide based on symptoms alone.
| Condition | Treatment |
|---|---|
| Shallow and not sensitive | Change brushing habits and monitor |
| Shallow but sensitive | First soothe it with desensitizing toothpaste and fluoride |
| Deep, or sensitivity continues | Fill with tooth-colored composite resin |
| Worn down to the root near the gum | Fill with a material such as glass ionomer, which bonds to the tooth and releases fluoride |
| With teeth grinding | Reduce the force first |
If the tooth throbs for a long time even without a trigger, it may not be abrasion but a cavity, a crack, or a nerve problem, so I check it separately.
Once it's filled with resin, is that the end of it?
Even after filling, if the cause remains, the tooth can wear down again or the resin can come off. The neck of the tooth is where force concentrates during chewing, so resin tends to come off there more easily than in other areas. Tooth that's already gone doesn't grow back, so the goal is to keep it from wearing further even after filling.
Still, I don't put off a notch that's getting deeper. If the notch gets close to the nerve, the sensitivity gets worse, and in rare cases the neck of the tooth weakens and can break. Filling it reduces sensitivity, and because the toothbrush no longer catches in the notch, it can also slow it from getting deeper.
If your gums have receded and exposed the root, also see Do receded gums grow back?
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
I don't start by deciding whether to fill; I look at why only that neck wore down and whether it's sensitive now. If it's shallow and comfortable, only habits are changed; if it's deep or sensitivity remains, I fill it with composite resin. I don't just put resin on a spot where the force remains.
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| GI filling (glass ionomer) | Covered by Korean National Health Insurance |
| Cervical resin filling | ₩150,000 |
| Night guard for teeth grinding | ₩500,000 |
Prices are as of September 2026. You can see all fees on the full fee list.
What should you change at home?
- Use soft bristles, ease off the pressure, and brush in small motions
- Don't scrub hard side to side
- Right after carbonated drinks or sour foods, rinse with water and don't brush hard right away
- If your teeth are sensitive, use desensitizing toothpaste and keep using it for a few weeks until it takes effect
- If your jaw feels stiff in the morning, check for grinding and clenching
Frequently asked questions
Does cervical abrasion get better on its own?
Lost tooth structure doesn't grow back, so the notch won't fill in. Reducing the causes can keep it from getting deeper.
Does an electric toothbrush wear teeth down more?
The problem is the pressure, not the electric toothbrush itself. It cleans even if you just hold it against the teeth without pressing hard, so it's fine as long as you control the pressure.
How long does a resin filling last?
Without grinding or a heavy bite, it lasts a long time, but if the force remains, the edges can lift or the filling can come off. If it comes off, I look at the cause again and refill it.
