3D scans provide better insight into tooth wear and optimal treatment More knowledge for dentists, fewer patient concerns

Research conducted by Radboudumc shows that a 3D scan is an excellent tool for detecting and monitoring tooth wear. This helps dentists treat dental wear more quickly and effectively, while also preventing overtreatment.

Nearly everyone experiences tooth wear at some point in their lives. For some, it progresses more rapidly, due to teeth grinding, nail biting, or acids in the mouth from soft drinks, for example. PhD candidate Hilde Bronkhorst investigated these risk factors, as well as the potential of 3D scanning in diagnosis and treatment. 'Normally, dentists choose a treatment based on their experience and an estimate of how the wear will develop. We didn’t yet have a good method to offer truly personalized treatment. My research shows that a 3D scan adds significant value in this regard,' Bronkhorst says.

Quick and effective

Currently, about 60% of dental practices use a 3D scanner. Bronkhorst explains: 'It’s a small device. The dentist moves it through the mouth to capture a detailed image. Three minutes later, the dentist has a 3D image showing all the details clearly.' The dentist can immediately see where the wear is occurring. Follow-up scans also reveal how quickly and where the wear is progressing.

Personalized treatment

This leads to tailored advice. 'Can treatment be postponed, or is it wise to intervene now? Can we treat only the affected area, or is a broader intervention needed? Such precise and personalized treatment adds value for both patients and healthcare providers,' says Bronkhorst. Patients are often anxious, worried that their teeth will not last throughout their lifetime. But a scan often shows that the wear is stable. 'In fact, many patients with tooth wear show only limited progression over a three-year period. That can provide great peace of mind, and it may also mean treatment can be delayed,' Bronkhorst notes.

Future applications

In the future, 3D scans may become a standard part of dental visits. Bronkhorst explains: 'Scanning the teeth takes little time and currently costs around 35 euros per scan in the Netherlands. If a preventive scan is done every five years, the progression and development of the teeth become very clear. You can then determine early on whether intervention is needed, or if it’s not necessary at all. This offers significant cost savings for both patients and providers, and it reduces uncertainty for the patient.'

More information on the dissertation

PhD defense: June 20, 2025, at 10:30 AM by Hilde Bronkhorst.
Title of dissertation: Tooth Wear: Not Your Average Story (available online after June 20).
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. B.A.C. Loomans and M.C.D.J.N.M. Huysmans.
Co-supervisors: Dr. S. Kalaykova and T. Pereira-Cenci.
The defense can be followed via this livestream.

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