MEDIUMClinicalTier 1
Reading the Signs of Tooth Wear
SourceDecisions in DentistryTier 1Clinical & Visual
By Kristen Pratt Machado
Originally at decisionsindentistry.com
Summary & scoring by The Bell Brief (Dr. Jennifer Bell) using the Drill-Down Protocol (Drill-Down Score) — not the original publisher.
Why it matters for dental
Practice owners and associates can improve case acceptance and long-term outcomes by correctly identifying tooth-wear patterns and matching treatment plans to the underlying cause rather than rushing into restorations.
Key points
- Attrition results from direct tooth-to-tooth contact during mastication or parafunctional habits such as grinding.
- Repeated exposure to stomach acid from vomiting produces erosion characteristically located on the palatal surfaces of anterior and posterior teeth.
- Evaluation of tooth wear should include extent, location, progression, and etiology before any restorative plan is selected.
- Management may range from preventive monitoring to restorative care depending on the findings and patient-specific risk factors.
Who should care
AssociateSpecialist
Read the original on Decisions in Dentistry
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