The rate of cervical abrasion in dental students.

Abrasion of the cervical region of teeth has been attributed to mechanical cleaning procedures using dentisfrices containing abrasives of various kinds. In the present study the loss of substance during a 26 month period in the cervical region of the upper left premolars of dental students was measured directly by means of a micrometer. The average rate of abrasion was found to be 0.2 micro per day. No difference was observed between the group using a "non-abrasive" dentifrice and that employing a conventional paste. The risk associated with pulp exposure under the conditions observed is briefly discussed.