ATTRITION

 ATTRITION

Physiologic wearing away of the tooth surface or restoration caused by tooth to tooth contact during mastication or parafunction.

ETIOLOGY:

l.  Mastication of food

2. Abnormal chewing habits

3. Bruxism

4. Occlusal abnormalities.

CLINICAL FEATURES:

1. The first clinical manifestation of attrition may be appearance of small polished facets on a cusp tip or ridge or incisal edges. There is flattening of occlusal and proximal surfaces of teeth.

2. Exposure of dentin due to wearing of tooth surfaces.

3. Reduced cuspal height of teeth and in extreme cases, teeth are worn down to gum level.

4. There may be shortening of length of dental arch due to reduction in mesiodistal diameter of teeth through proximal attrition.

5. Normally, the dentinal tubules may be irritated by these processes and secretes secondary dentin in order to protect the teeth.

6. Both deciduous and permanent teeth may be affected.

TREATMENT: 

- Etiology should be sought out and removed.

- Restorative treatment may be done to teeth.