Restorative & Materials · single question

What is the difference between abrasion and abfraction?

  1. Abrasion occurs in the cervical part of the tooth
  2. Abrasion is more flat/shallow-shaped
  3. Abfraction only occurs in the posterior teeth
  4. Abfraction is caused by foreign elements
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Correct answer: B. Abrasion is more flat/shallow-shaped

Abrasion (caused by a foreign object, like aggressive toothbrushing or habits) tends to produce a broader, shallower, flatter or saucer-shaped lesion, while abfraction (caused by occlusal flexural stress) classically produces a deep, narrow, wedge/V-shaped notch at the cervical area. Abrasion is not exclusively cervical (option A is too absolute), abfraction is not limited to posterior teeth, and it's abrasion — not abfraction — that's caused by a foreign element (like a toothbrush or habit).

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