Abrasion of incisors

This image shows the labial surface of some of the incisor of the lower jaw. The image is photographed from the right hand side of the patient. The mucosa of the left cheek makes a pink backdrop against the teeth. The gingiva is seen apically to the crown of the incisors.

Deep crevices are seen at the cervical level of the central incisors. These crevices are abrasion defects. In this case, the defects are so large and deep that they affect the pulp chamber. As a result, the teeth might need root canal treatment due to pulp necrosis and apical infection (bacteria spread through the pulp chamber to the apex of the tooth). If the damage progresses slowly, the pulp might have time to retract itself under a layer of tertiary dentine. There is also a risk that the tooth might fracture because the cervical area is weakened.

The causes of these abrasion defects are in most cases due to violent tooth brushing and a hard toothbrush (back-and-forth strokes). It is as if you almost can see the footprint of the toothbrush brushing the gumline and the cervical part of the incisors in this image.