Tooth surface loss revisited: Classification, etiology, and management

Abstract

Tooth wear is a general term describing the loss of dental hard tissues from the surfaces of the teeth. As the lifespan of individuals increase and the teeth are increasingly retained for life the incidence of non-carious tooth surface loss has also shown a rise. Little is understood about the aetiology and management of these lesions and there are several occasions where the condition is often neglected. The prevalence of tooth surface loss is difficult to establish and the reported clinical and epidemiological data are difficult to compare, due to differences in terminologies and many indices involved. The purpose of current review is to focus on the classification, aetiology and management of common non-carious conditions causing tooth surface loss.