tooth tissue loss

Question 1

What is attrition?

Answer 1

Wear - tooth to tooth contact (or contacting an indirect restoration)

Question 2

What causes attrition?

Answer 2

Habit - bruxism
Malocclusion (class III incisors, or cross bite)
Loss of posterior teeth - anterior teeth do more work
Clenching

Question 3

What can bruxism be diagnosed by?

Answer 3

History of noise

tender muscles etc

Question 4

What is erosion?

Answer 4

Tissue loss due to non-carious acid dissolution

Question 5

What is the cause of erosion?

Answer 5

Primarily diet - soft drinks, alcohol, citrus fruit, pickles/vinegar

intrinsic - bulimia, pregnancy or illness involving vomiting and reflux

Question 6

What may be a sign of bulimia when looking at restorations in the teeth?

Answer 6

restorations may look like ‘raised’ margins

Question 7

What is abrasion?

Answer 7

Tooth wear due to contact with food or other objects - toothbrush, nails, etc (abrasion lesion)

Question 8

What are common causes of trauma?

Answer 8

Falls/ messing around
Contact sports
Non- accidental injury
Increased overjet is a risk factor
Most common 8-10 year old boys

Question 9

What demographic is trauma most common in?

Answer 9

8-10 year old boys

Question 10

What can cause enamel or dentine defects?

Answer 10

Genetic conditions - amelogenesis/ dentinogenesis imperfecta
trauma or infection to developing tooth germ
systemic illness or malnutrition
chemotherapy/ radiotherapy

Question 11

How would you diagnose tooth tissue loss?

Answer 11

Medical history - social factors/dental history, diet, family history of similar problem

Examination - which surfaces are affected?
condition of restorations

Question 12

What are the key causes of non-carious tooth tissue loss overall?

Answer 12

Attrition
Abrasion
Erosion
Trauma
Disturbance of enamel or dentine formation