Medical Dictionary
Main Entry:
ab·frac·tion Pronunciation:
ab-'frak-sh&n Function:
noun : a mechanism that is postulated to explain loss of tooth enamel anddentin in cervical areas of teeth exposed to similar amounts of brushing, general erosion, or abrasion compared to unaffected teeth but to considerably more contact in the crown area and that is heldto involve flexure of the cervical hard tissue associated with crown contacts and eventual fatigue and loss or cracking of the hard tissue involved;
also : a lesion produced by this
