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Prosthodontics & Occlusion · single question

Cupping (concave defects) on the occlusal surfaces of POSTERIOR TEETH in a patient with GERD is MOST caused by:

  1. Attrition (tooth-to-tooth contact creates flat wear facets — not cupping)
  2. Abrasion (mechanical abrasive forces from toothbrushing, etc.)
  3. Erosion (acid from GERD dissolves enamel and dentin → cupped out defects on occlusal surfaces)
  4. Bruxism (causes flat wear facets similar to attrition)
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Correct answer: C. Erosion (acid from GERD dissolves enamel and dentin → cupped out defects on occlusal surfaces)

  • A. Attrition creates FLAT wear facets where tooth contacts tooth — not cupping.
  • B. Abrasion from toothbrushing causes cervical notching/V-shaped defects — not occlusal cupping.
  • C. Correct. EROSION from GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) causes characteristic CUPPING (concave saucer-shaped defects) on the occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth. Acidic gastric contents reflux into the oral cavity and dissolve tooth structure. The palatal surfaces of maxillary anteriors ('perimolysis') and occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth are most affected. The cupped-out appearance is pathognomonic of acid erosion.
  • D. Bruxism (parafunctional clenching/grinding) causes flat, polished wear facets similar to attrition — not cupping.

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