EXAGGERATED ABRASION EROSION OF HUMAN DENTAL ENAMEL SURFACES - A CASE-REPORT

An atypical, rapidly proceeding abrasion/erosion of the labial enamel surfaces of the maxillary and mandibular incisors and canines in a 27- yr-old man is reported. Ultrastructural examination of a replica of th e teeth showed a practically structureless enamel surface both at the initial examination and after 12 months. However, at the end of the pe riod, minor areas of dentin tubules became visible, indicating that a substantial loss of the tooth substance had taken place. The patient's occupation involved daily environmental contact with proteolytic enzy mes. In vitro study of enamel exposed to one of the actual proteolytic enzymes showed dissolution of enamel substance, and it cannot be excl uded that enzymatic decomposition of the organic enamel matrix is a co ntributing cause of the observed exaggerated loss of tooth substance.