Abfraction is the loss of tooth structure from flexural forces. This has not been supported yet by dental research but it is hypothesized that enamel, especially at the cementoenamel junction (CEJ), undergo this pattern of destruction by separating the enamel rods. Tooth enamel is the most highly mineralized and hardest substance of the body [1]. Among enamel, dentin, and cementum, enamel is the dental tissue of a tooth which usually is visible in the mouth and must be supported by underlying dentin. ...

As teeth flex under pressure, the arrangement of teeth touching each other, known as occlusion, causes tension on one side of the tooth and compression on the other side of the tooth. This is believed to cause V-shaped depressions on the side under tension and C-shaped depressions on the side under compression. A term indicating that the state of something, which is normally open, is now totally closed. ... In physics, tension is a force on a body directed to produce strain (extension); it can be considered to be negative compression. ... Compression in material science, physics or structural engineering, is the stress state of materials where the volume tends to decrease (compaction). ...

This theory does not fully satisfy many researchers because there are many teeth whose occlusion causes tension and compression on either side. Consequently, it would be expected that many more teeth would show signs of abfraction, but this is not the case. Research is ongoing to identify the role abfraction has on this pattern of tooth destruction.

See Also

• Erosion
• Abrasion
• Bruxism

Bruxism (derived from Greek βρυγμός, male noun - grinding [teeth]) is grinding of the teeth. ...

References

• The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice (http://www.thejcdp.com/issue001/gandara/introgan.htm)
• Summit, James B., J. William Robbins, and Richard S. Schwartz. "Fundamentals of Operative Dentistry: A Contemporary Approach." 2nd edition. Carol Stream, Illinois, Quintessence Publishing Co, Inc, 2001. ISBN 0867153822.