The esthetics of anterior tooth aging.

As generations proceed to reinvent themselves in an effort to achieve and maintain youth, cosmetic dentistry faces one of its greatest and most persistent challenges: the restoration of an aging smile. Although the need for this restorative therapy has not yet been adequately studied, the momentum continues to build as aging teeth exhibit physical characteristics that affect their function as well as appearance. This review presents the most common factors influencing the esthetics of anterior tooth aging: coloration; wear and the effects of erosion, attrition, abrasion, and abfraction; and position of teeth relative to each other and surrounding tissues. While dental science seeks to understand how well age-specific restorative procedures can affect patients, the question of the necessity of this therapy remains. Should a healthy smile require treatment? Only time will reveal at what cost and to what extent a younger appearance plays a role in dental science.