Conservative management of erosion-abrasion: a system for the general practitioner

This final article in a series of three covering general practice aspects of erosion-abrasion presents a three-phase system for clinical management of erosive-abrasive damage. The first phase comprises pre-restorative case evaluation, initial measures to control factors predisposing to continued erosion-abrasion and where necessary the provision of acrylic overlays to restore facial height. In the second phase the teeth are systematically restored using an acid-etch composite resin technique; guidance for comfortable occlusion is provided by the patient acceptance method. The third phase comprises follow-up, including monitoring of salivary and bacteriological parameters, maintenance of the restorations and modifications of preventive measures necessary to preserve the dentition restored by multiple composite therapy. Modern oral physiological concepts and recent developments in multiple composite therapy and erosion control are discussed.