Interceptive treatment of tooth wear. Innovative protocols in treating initial and moderate cases following a biomechanical and risk-factor-oriented strategy.

Abstract

Tooth wear is a frequent pathology with multiple risk factors whose synergistic action can lead to severe and rapid hard tissue loss when no preventive strategy is applied. Dental erosion is triggered by an unbalanced diet and various medical conditions and medications that induce acid regurgitation or influence saliva composition and flow rate. Nowadays, widespread functional disorders (awake and sleep bruxism) induce attrition. Due to the combined biologic, functional, and also esthetic consequences of tooth wear, it has become increasingly important to diagnose its early signs so that proper preventive and, later on, interceptive-restorative measures can be taken. The use of adhesives and ultraconservative techniques is now recognized as a key approach for the treatment of moderate and even advanced tooth wear. The fundamentals of a modern treatment strategy to address erosion and attrition includes specific and detailed treatment planning based on tooth wear etiology, potential control of risk factors, and the biomechanical status of each tooth to be treated.