toothwear - PCS Flashcards
tooth surface loss can be due to
caries
trauma
developmental problems
tooth wear
non carious tooth surface loss includes
trauma
developmental problems
toothwear
types of toothwear
physiological
pathological
physiological toothwear
increases with age
normal wear associated with normal function varies between 20-38um per annum
not neccessary/appropriate to tx it
pathological toothwear
occurs when remaining tooth structure or pulpal health is compromised or the rate of tooth wear is in excess of what would be expected for that age
or
pt experiences a masticatory or aeshtetic deficit
4 causes of toothwear
attrition
abrsaion
erosion
abfraction
attrition defintion
physiological wearing away of toothstructure as a result of tooth to tooth contact

attrition lesions found
on occlusal and incisal contacting surfaces

progression of attritive lesions
start as polished facet on a cusp or slight flattening of an incisal edge
progresses to reduction in cusp height and flattening of occlusal inclined planes
can be shortening of teh crown on incisors and canines

cause of attrition
majority parafunctional habits (bruxism - grinding at night)
can see if can line up facets in non-functional position

restorations in attrition
show the same wear as tooth structures

abrasion defintion
physical wear of tooth substance through abnormal mechanical process independent of occlusion
involves a foreign object or substance repeatedly contacting the tooth

sites of abrasion
due to
The site and pattern of tooth loss is related to the abrasive element.
- Commonest area is labial/buccal, cervical on canine and premolar teeth
- V shaped or rounded lesions (cervical area as dentine wears away faster than enamel)
- Sharp margin at enamel edge where dentine is worn away preferentially
Commonest cause is tooth brushing
Can manifest as notching of the incisal edges
- Related to habits/lifestyle/occupation
- Pins, nails, electrical wire stripping, fishing line, thread, pipe smoking

e-cigarettes and toothwear
Heavier than pipes : Getting bigger
- MUCH BIGGER – abrasive toothwear risk
Acidic liquid:
- They should be alkaline as this gives more free nicotine but not all are
erosion defintion
The loss of tooth surface by a chemical process that does not involve bacterial action.
most common cause of pathological tooth wear and is increasing in prevalence.

erosion cause
chronic exposure of dental hard tissues to acidic substances which can be extrinsic or intrinsic
erosion progression
Early stages enamel surface is affected, there is loss of surface detail, surfaces become flat and smooth (shiny)
- Typically bilateral, concave lesions without chalky appearance of bacterial acid decalcification (unlike caries)
Later dentine becomes exposed (margin of enamel with dentine in the middle)
Preferential wear of dentine leads to ‘cupping’ of the occlusal surfaces of the molars and incisal edges of the anteriors

erosion appearance
- Typically bilateral, concave lesions without chalky appearance of bacterial acid decalcification (unlike caries)
- Preferential wear of dentine leads to ‘cupping’ of the occlusal surfaces of the molars and incisal edges of the anteriors
- Increased translucency of incisal edges (can appear dark – pt complaint)
- Restorations stand proud
- no tooth staining present - washed away by acids

erosion site
Exact position and severity of erosive wear is dependent on the source, type and frequency of exposure to the acid.
- Bulimia, vomit – anterior
- Ruminate, GORD – posterior
abfraction defintion
loss of hard tissue from eccentric occlusal forces leading to compressive and tensile stresses at the cervical fulcrum areas of the tooth

2 theories behind abfraction
- Abfraction if the basic cause of all non-carious cervical lesions (Grippo 1991)
- Multifactorial aetiology. A combination of occlusal stress, abrasion and erosion (Lee and Eakle 1984)

basic cause of abfraction
Pathological loss of tooth substance at the cervical margin
Caused by biomechanical loading forces
Forces result in flexure and failure of the enamel and dentine at a location away from the loading
- Disruption of the ordered crystalline structure of the enamel and dentine by cyclic fatigue.
- Cracks in tooth substance which causes tooth substance to chip out.
- This theory is based on engineering principles which demonstrate stress concentrations in these areas of the tooth during loading
V shaped tooth loss where the tooth is under tension. CLASSICALLY SHARP RIM AT THE AMELO-CEMENTAL JUNCTION Similar to toothbrush abrasion - multifactorial

abfraction appearance
V shaped tooth loss where the tooth is under tension. CLASSICALLY SHARP RIM AT THE AMELO-CEMENTAL JUNCTION Similar to toothbrush abrasion - multifactorial

possible causes of cervical wear lesions
multifactorial
- ? Overzealous Tooth brushing
- Lesions mainly in premolar and molars on the buccal surface almost never lingually
- Good OH and this wear pattern go together
- Restorations in this area wear at the same rate as the tooth structure
- ? Abrasion the most important factor in these areas?
- Likely to be a combination of erosion, abrasion +/- abfraction
- No definitive, conclusive studies

















