0. It is also called as ‘stress lesion’. It is the loss of tooth structure that results from flexure which is caused by occlusal stresses. The magnitude of tooth tissue loss depends on the size, duration, direction, frequency and location of the forces.

0. Causes and mechanism

• Occlusal restoration—some suggested that occlusal restoration may lead to weakening of tooth ability to resist the stresses of occlusion leading to abfraction.

• Predisposing factors—factors, such as erosion and abrasion may play a significant role in tooth tissue loss.

Clinical features

• Location—itusuallyaffectsbuccal/labialcervicalareas of teeth. Commonly affects single teeth with excursive interferences or eccentric occlusal loads.
• Appearance—itappearsasdeep,narrowV-shapednotch. The lesion is typically wedge shaped with sharp line angles, but occlusal abfraction may present as circular invaginations.

REFERENCE- ANIL GHOM TEXTBOOK OF ORAL MEDICINE [2nd ed]