Abfractive Lesions: A Bioesthetic Approach to Improve Function and Appearance

Kenley H. Hunt, DDS

January/February 2006 Issue - Expires Thursday, February 28th, 2008

Inside Dentistry

Abstract

Although described in the literature as early as the 1930s as “erosions,” the more specific classification, essence, and etiology of abfractions and abfractive lesions were described in the 1990s by Grippo. Abfractions are the loss of dental substance—ie, chips of enamel and dentin—that break off from a tooth as a result of stress exerted on the teeth.Abfractive lesions are caused by flexture and ultimately material fatigue. Immediate correction of the factors creating the stress and a bioesthetic approach in treating the emerging abfractions at their incipience have become the treatment of choice. This article reviews the literature and defines the role of each element involved in the formation of abfractions. In the case study presented, the author identifies and eliminates the stress-creating factors that resulted in pathologic wear of the tooth structure and the formation of abfractive lesions. The case also shows how the already-existing abfractions were treated, which emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation between the clinician and the laboratory technician, using the bioesthetic concept.

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Disclosures:

The author reports no conflicts of interest associated with this work.

Queries for the author may be directed to justin.romano@broadcastmed.com.