Tooth wear and facial morphology

This review sets out to explore the relationship between tooth wear and facial morphology, with particular reference to the occlusal vertical dimension. Evidence from anthropological and archaeological investigations suggests that severe tooth wear may not only affect the teeth and occlusion, but may also have more wide ranging effects on overall dentofacial morphology. Studies on contemporary subjects confirm this finding, and the literature on the nature of these effects is reviewed. It is concluded that the adult dentofacial complex is not a static entity, but can compensate for the dental effects of wear. The consequences of this with respect to reconstruction of the worn dentition are discussed, and it is proposed that the dynamic nature of this complex may be employed to help simplify the treatment of severe tooth wear.