ABRASION-wearing away of tooth structure by mechanical means. Two types of abrasion:

1. Toothbrush abrasion-most often results in V-shaped wedges at the cervical margin in the canine and premolar areas. It is caused by the use of a hard toothbrush and/or a horizontal brushing stroke and/or a gritty dentifrice.

2. Occlusal abrasion-results in flattened cusps on all posterior teeth and worn incisal edges. It is caused by chewing or biting hard food or objects, or chewing tobacco.

ATTRITION - wearing away of enamel and dentin from normal function or, more commonly from excessive grinding or gritting together of teeth by the patient (bruxism). The most noticeable effects of attrition are polished facets (flat incisal edges, discolored teeth surfaces, and exposed dentin). Facets usually develop on the linguoincisal of the maxillary central incisors and canines, and the facio-incisal of the mandibular canines.

ABFRACTION - Non-carious lesions caused by FLEXURAL forces (occlusal cyclic loading). Enamel at the CEJ is destroyed when enamel rods separate, causing V-shaped depressions on the tension side and C- shaped depressions on the side under compression.

EROSION - loss of tooth structure from non-mechanical means due to drinking acidic liquids or eating acidic foods. Erosion is common in bulimic individuals as a result of regurgitated stomach acids. It affects smooth and occlusal tooth surfaces. 

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