Abfraction is defined as which of the following?

Abfraction is defined as which of the following?

• A. Tooth-to-tooth wear
• B. Chemical dissolution (acid)
• C. Mechanical stress causing microfractures at cervical areas
• D. Wear from external objects

Answer: (C)

Abfraction describes damage at the cervical region of a tooth that arises from flexural stresses during function. When teeth are loaded, they bend slightly and stress concentrates near the cementoenamel junction, producing microfractures in the enamel and dentin and often forming a wedge-shaped, noncarious lesion. This concept distinguishes it from other causes of cervical wear: attrition is tooth-tooth grinding wear, abrasion is wear from external objects or brushing, and erosion is chemical dissolution from acids. So the best description is mechanical stress causing microfractures at cervical areas.

Abfraction describes damage at the cervical region of a tooth that arises from flexural stresses during function. When teeth are loaded, they bend slightly and stress concentrates near the cementoenamel junction, producing microfractures in the enamel and dentin and often forming a wedge-shaped, noncarious lesion. This concept distinguishes it from other causes of cervical wear: attrition is tooth-tooth grinding wear, abrasion is wear from external objects or brushing, and erosion is chemical dissolution from acids. So the best description is mechanical stress causing microfractures at cervical areas.