Dental abfractions - a literature review and hypothesis

Original works by W. D. Miller 1 in the late 1800s and early 1900s, seem to be the earliest review in English of the erosion-abrasion issue as it relates to tooth brushing and dentifrices. Miller discussed wasting away of the tooth at the neck as "very often taking a form as though produced by a three-cornered file (p. 2).” 1 Possible causes of wasting away mentioned in the literature at that time included: toothbrushes, alkalis, acids, friction of folds of the mucous membrane, exfoliation, acid secretions of the mucous membrane, electrolytic action, defective development, and rubbing of partial clasps, among others. Ingredients used in toothpastes at that time included: pumice, oyster shells, precipitated calcium carbonate, prepared chalk, and cigar ashes. The results of Miller's two years work on the etiology of erosion were published in 1907 when he announced his belief that erosion was caused by weak acids or gritty tooth powders, or by both, assisted by the toothbrush.