Abfraction, Abrasion, Biocorrosion, and the Enigma of Noncarious Cervical Lesions: A 20‐Year Perspective

Abstract

By performing a comprehensive medical and dental history, using precise terms and concepts, and utilizing the Revised Schema of Pathodynamic Mechanisms, the dentist may successfully identify and treat the etiology of root surface lesions. Preventive measures may be instituted if the causative factors are detected and their modifying factors are considered.

The dentin chemical degradation and saliva roles on Noncarious Cervical Lesions – literature review

“…Noncarious Cervical Lesions (NCCLs) are characterized by hard tissue loss in the cement-enamel junction (CEJ) [1][2][3][4]. NCCLs are commonly found in dental practice, with prevalence rates up to 85% [5].…”

“…NCCLs are commonly found in dental practice, with prevalence rates up to 85% [5]. The origin and progression of theses lesions are related to three etiological factors: stress (tensile/compressive stress concentration), biocorrosion (acid-induced dentin chemical degradation) and friction (attrition and abrasion) [2,6]. Although there is no consensus regarding the diagnostic and management of NCCLs, the knowledge of multifactorial etiology is important to prevent more aggressive dental structure damage (Figure 1) [7,8].…”

Prevalence and Etiologic Factors of Non Carious Cervical Lesions among Prison's Population in Dakar

“…Our results approach those of Oginni, et al [13] which in its study on 106 Nigerian patients found a prevalence of 37.7% of abfraction. Several studies tried to correlate these lesions with factors etiologic [2,4,6,8,[10][11][12]. A study was conducted by Faye, et al [14] on a non toothbrushing population with Hansen's disease (leprosy).…”

“…Following the introduction of the term abfraction by Grippo [7], to represent the microfracture of tooth substance in areas of stress concentration, the term remains misconstrued and misused Published studies have demonstrated the effects of stress combined with acids and enzymatic proteases as being factors in the genesis of NCCLs. Unfortunately, the term abfraction has become a "buzzword, " implying a single etiology, and is frequently used erroneously to designate all NCCLs [8]. The clinician should consider all etiologic and modifying factors before completing the diagnosis or initiating treatment if indicated.…”

“…The clinician should consider all etiologic and modifying factors before completing the diagnosis or initiating treatment if indicated. Actually the notion of "biocorrosion" has been introduced to supplant erosion, according to Grippo [8] the term "biocorrosion" embraces the chemical, biochemical, and electrochemical degradation of tooth substance caused by endogenous and exogenous acids, proteolytic agents, as well as the piezoelectric effects only on dentin. Indeed, the offset forces occlusal will involve on the level of this area, more fragile, of the microscopic cracks which secondarily will fill of water and will lead to a dislocation of enamel and dentine [9].…”