Attrition (dental)

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Loss of tooth characteristics

Dental attrition is a type of tooth wear caused by tooth-to-tooth contact,[1] resulting in loss of tooth tissue, usually starting at the incisal or occlusal surfaces. Tooth wear is a physiological process and is commonly seen as a normal part of aging. Advanced and excessive wear and tooth surface loss can be defined as pathological in nature, requiring intervention by a dental practitioner. The pathological wear of the tooth surface can be caused by bruxism, which is clenching and grinding of the teeth. If the attrition is severe, the enamel can be completely worn away leaving underlying dentin exposed, resulting in an increased risk of dental caries and dentin hypersensitivity. It is best to identify pathological attrition at an early stage to prevent unnecessary loss of tooth structure as enamel does not regenerate.

Signs and symptoms

Typical appearance of attrition

Attrition occurs as a result of opposing tooth surfaces contacting. The contact can affect cuspal, incisal and proximal surface areas.[2]

Indications of attrition can include:[3]

  • Loss of tooth anatomy: This results in loss of tooth characteristics including rounding or sharpening of incisal edges, loss of cusps and fracturing of teeth. Enamel of molar teeth may appear thin and flat. When in occlusion the teeth may appear the same height which is particularly apparent for anterior teeth.
  • Sensitivity or pain: Attrition may be entirely asymptomatic, or there may be dentin hypersensitivity secondary to loss of the enamel layer, or tenderness of the periodontal ligament caused by occlusal trauma.
  • Tooth discolouration: A yellow appearance of the tooth surface may be due to the enamel being worn away, exposing the darker yellower dentin layer underneath.
  • Altered occlusion due to decreasing vertical height, or occlusal vertical dimension.
  • Compromised periodontal support can result in tooth mobility and drifting of teeth
  • Loss in posterior occlusal stability
  • Mechanical failure of restorations

Causes

Dental attrition is tooth wear which is caused by tooth to tooth contact. Well-defined wear facets appear on cusps or ridge of teeth. This can be caused by several factors including parafunctional habits such as bruxism or clenching, developmental defects, hard or rough textured diet as well as absence of the posterior teeth support. If the natural teeth oppose or occlude with porcelain restorations then accelerated attrition of the natural teeth may result. Similarly, when an edge to edge class III incisal relationship is present dental attrition can occur.[4] The underlying cause of attrition may be related to the temporomandibular joint as a disruption or dysfunction of the joint can result in compromised function and complications such as bruxism and clenching of the jaw may arise[5]

The etiology of dental attrition is multifactorial however bruxism is one of the most common causes of attrition. Bruxism is the para-functional movement of the mandible, occurring during the day or night. It can be associated with presence of audible sound when clenching or grinding the teeth. This is usually reported by parents or partners if the grinding occurs during sleep. In some cases dental erosion is also associated with severe dental attrition. Dental erosion is tooth surface loss caused by extrinsic or intrinsic forms of acid. Extrinsic erosion is due to a highly acidic diet, whilst intrinsic erosion is caused by regurgitation of gastric acids.[6] Erosion softens the dental hard tissues making them more susceptible to dental attrition. When dental erosion is present in conjunction with bruxism the tooth surface loss due to attrition is accelerated due to the erosive environment. Severe attrition in young patients is usually associated with erosive factors in their diets.[7] The different physiological processes of tooth wear (abrasion, attrition and erosion) generally occur simultaneously and rarely work individually. Therefore, it is important to obtain knowledge of these tooth wear processes and their interactions to determine causes of tooth surface loss.[8] Demineralization of the tooth surface due to acids can cause occlusal erosion as well as attrition. Wedge-shaped cervical lesions are commonly found in association with occlusal erosion and attrition.[9]

Tooth wear is typically seen in the elderly and can be referred to as a natural aging process. Attrition, abrasion, erosion or a combination of these factors are the main reasons for tooth wear in elderly people who retain their natural teeth. This tooth wear can be pathological or physiological in nature.[10] The influence of age on tooth wear shows that the number of teeth with incisal or occlusal wear increases with the age.[11] Dental attrition occurs in 1 in 3 adolescents and an association has been established between dental attrition and aging.[12]

Gender has also been determined as a contributing factor associated with occlusal tooth wear.[13] In addition to other occlusal factors some independent variables such as male gender, bruxism, and loss of molar occlusal contact, edge-to-edge relation of incisors, unilateral buccolingual cusp-to-cusp relation, and unemployment have been identified in affecting occlusal wear. Similarly anterior cross-bite, unilateral posterior cross-bite, and anterior crowding have been found to be protective factors for high occlusal wear levels.

Prevention and management

To manage the condition it is first important to arrive at a diagnosis, describing the type of tooth surface loss, the severity and location.[14] Early diagnosis is essential to ensure tooth wear has not progressed past the point of restoration.[14][15] A thorough examination is required, as it might give explanation to the aetiology of the TSL.[16]

The examination should include assessment of -

  • Temporomandibular joint function and associated musculature
  • Orthodontic examination
  • Intra oral soft tissue analysis
  • Hard tissue analysis
  • Location and severity of tooth wear
  • Social history;– particularly diet

It is important to record severity of tooth wear for monitoring purposes, helping to differentiate between pathological and physiological tooth surface loss. It is essential to determine whether the tooth wear is ongoing or has stabilized.[17] However where generalised one can assume the underlying cause is bruxism. In fast progressing cases there is commonly a coexisting erosive diet contributing to tooth surface loss.[17]

Prevention

Patient Wearing Occlusal Splint

When a diagnosis of bruxism has been confirmed it is recommended that the patient purchase a full coverage acrylic occlusal splint such as a Michigan Splint or Tanner appliance to prevent further bruxism. Patients must be monitored closely, with clinical photographs 6–12 monthly to evaluate if the tooth surface loss is being prevented.

Treatment

Cosmetic or functional intervention may be required if tooth surface loss is pathological in nature or if there has been advanced loss of tooth structure.[18] The first stage of treatment involves the management of any associated conditions such as fractured teeth or sharp cusps or incisal edges. These can be resolved via restoration of and polishing of sharp cusps. At this stage desensitizing agents such as topical fluoride varnishes can be applied, and at home desensitising toothpastes recommended. There are many different restorative treatment options which have been proposed such as direct composite restorations, bonded cast metal restorations, removable partial dentures, orthodontic treatment, crown lengthening procedures and protective splints.[18] The decision to restore the dentition depends on the wants and needs of the patient, the severity of tooth surface loss and whether tooth surface loss is active.[16] The use of adhesive materials to replace lost tooth structure can be performed as a conservative and cost effective approach before a more permanent solution of crowns or veneers is considered.[17]

References

  1. ↑ Darby, M., Walsh, Margaret, & EBL ebook Library. (2009). Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice. (3rd ed.). London: Elsevier Health Sciences.
  2. ↑ Davies, SJ; Gray, RJM (2002). "Management of tooth surface loss". British Dental Journal 192 (1): 11-12
  3. ↑ Wazani BE, BE; Dodd, MN; Milosevic, A (2012). "The signs and symptoms of tooth wear in a referred group of patients". British Dental Journal 213 (6): 17-27
  4. ↑ Meshramkar R, Lekha K, Nadiger R (Jan–Mar 2012). "Tooth wear, etiology, diagnosis and its management in elderly: A literature review". International Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry 2 (1): 38–41.
  5. ↑ Yadav, S. (2011). A study on prevalence of dental attrition and its relation to factors of age, gender and to the signs of TMJ dysfunction. Journal of Indian Prosthodontist Society, 11 (2), 98-105.
  6. ↑ Brunton, P.A. (2003). Prevention in the Older Dentate Patient. British Dental Journal, 195 (5), 239.
  7. ↑ Khan F, Young W G, Daley TJ. Dental erosion and bruxism. A tooth wear analysis from South East Queensland. Aust Dent J. 1998. 43 (2):117-27.
  8. ↑ Shellis RP, Addy M. The interactions between attrition, abrasion and erosion in tooth wear. Monogr Oral Sci. 2014;25:32-45. doi: 10.1159/000359936.
  9. ↑ Khan F, Young WG, Shahabi S, Daley TJ. Dental cervical lesions associated with occlusal erosion and attrition. Aust Dent J. 1999 Sep;44(3):176-86.
  10. ↑ Burke FM, McKenna G. Toothwear and the older patient. Dent Update. 2011 Apr;38(3):165-8.
  11. ↑ Hugoson A1, Ekfeldt A, Koch G, Hallonsten AL. Incisal and occlusal tooth wear in children and adolescents in a Swedish population. Acta Odontol Scand. 1996 Aug;54(4):263-70.
  12. ↑ Casanova-Rosado JF, Medina-Solís CE, Vallejos-Sánchez AA, Casanova-Rosado AJ, Maupomé G, Avila-Burgos L. Dental attrition and associated factors in adolescents 14 to 19 years of age: a pilot study. Int J Prosthodont. 2005 Nov-Dec;18(6):516-9.
  13. ↑ Bernhardt O, Gesch D, Splieth C, Schwahn C, Mack F, Kocher T, Meyer G, John U, Kordass B. Risk factors for high occlusal wear scores in a population-based sample: results of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP). Int J Prosthodont. 2004 May-Jun;17(3):333-9.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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