Abnormalities Affecting Enamel
Enamel Abnormalities
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Abrasion (AB):
Tooth wear caused by contact of a tooth with a non-dental object
Attrition (AT):
Tooth wear caused by contact of a tooth with another tooth
Erosion (ER):
Demineralization of tooth substance due to external acids
Caries (CA):
Degradation of dental hard tissue caused by demineralization due to acids released during bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates
Enamel defect (ED):
Lesion affecting the structural integrity of enamel
Enamel hypoplasia (E/H):
Refers to inadequate deposition of enamel matrix. This can affect one or several teeth and may be focal or multifocal. The crowns of affected teeth can have areas of normal enamel next to areas of hypoplastic or missing enamel.
Enamel hypomineralization (E/HM):
Refers to inadequate mineralization of enamel matrix. This often affects several or all teeth. The crowns of affected teeth are covered by soft enamel that may be worn rapidly.
Enamel infraction (T/FX/EI):
Incomplete fracture (crack) of the enamel without loss of tooth substance
Enamel fracture (T/FX/EF):
Fracture with loss of crown substance confined to the enamel