Recognition and management of occlusal disease from a hygienist's perspective.

Dental disease can be described as a permanent alteration of loss or function of those parts generally cared for by dentists. Specifically, these include the teeth, periodontal tissues and associated dental structures. Historically the breakdown and subsequent loss of tooth structure was caused by dental caries. It has also been observed that tooth loss can result from overuse-abuse referred to as bruxism or bruxamania.