Tooth Wear

Tooth wear or tooth surface loss is categorised into different types: functional or physiological tooth wear, attrition, erosion, abrasion, and abfraction. This chapter discusses factors associated with different types of tooth wear. A study of a sample of young European adults aged 18–35 years reported that 29% exhibited signs of tooth wear. Different tooth wear classification systems have been developed over many years. They are the Smith and Knight tooth wear index, the Eccles index of dental erosion, and the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE). This chapter lists relevant information to aid in reaching an accurate diagnosis when assessing patients with tooth wear. It is extremely important to identify and address the cause of tooth wear to prevent its progression, especially in young patients. Treatment strategies for worn dentition can be divided into conformative and reorganisation approaches using fixed and/or removable treatment options.