Wear behavior of dental restorative materials and their antagonists: Current concepts and clinical implications

This narrative review comprehensively delineates the paradigm shift in dental wear research, spanning foundational laboratory simulators to advanced intraoral digital evaluations. Historically, material hardness was considered the primary determinant of wear; however, contemporary evidence underscores that surface finish and microstructural stability dictate clinical performance. While in vitro setups allow precise parameter control, they inevitably oversimplify complex intraoral biomechanics. Among materials, feldspathic porcelain exhibits high abrasiveness due to surface microcracking. In contrast, mirror-polished monolithic zirconia demonstrates superior wear characteristics, rendering antagonist enamel wear lower than conventional ceramics. Recent advancements in intraoral scanning and three-dimensional digital superimposition have revolutionized clinical in vivo quantification, facilitating precise longitudinal monitoring. Methodological heterogeneity across laboratories remains a critical obstacle, necessitating the establishment of standardized testing protocols.