Tooth surface loss or tooth wear is the diminution of hard tissues of the tooth including enamel and dentin caused by factors barring dental caries. Tooth wear is the consequence of attrition, abrasion, erosion or abfraction or a combination of these. The pathological wear of tooth surface can be caused by bruxism, which is clenching and grinding of teeth. This can also lead to dental hypersensitivity, compromise in function, forfeiture of esthetics due to loss of vertical dimension. Attrition is the aftermath of tooth to tooth grinding due to functional and parafunctional habit. This review article predominantly focusses on dental attrition as the cause of tooth wear and also emphasize on the etiology, incidence, clinical features, diagnosis, significance of differential diagnosis, management and prevention