WEDGE-SHAPED DEFECT — MECHANICAL TOOTH DAMAGE OR A MULTIFACTORIAL PROCESS?

A wedge-shaped defect is one of the clinically important forms of non-carious cervical lesions that develop in the hard tissues of teeth. This condition usually occurs on the vestibular surface of the tooth, near the cementoenamel junction, and appears as a V-shaped or wedge-shaped defect. Clinically, a wedge-shaped defect may cause dentin hypersensitivity, aesthetic problems, progressive loss of tooth tissue, and, in some cases, the need for restorative treatment. In the past, incorrect tooth brushing and mechanical abrasion were often considered the main causes of this condition. However, modern scientific views suggest that it is not enough to explain wedge-shaped defects by a single cause. Abrasion, erosion, occlusal stress, anatomical features of the teeth, dietary habits, parafunctional activities, and individual behavioral factors may interact with each other and lead to tissue loss in the cervical region. This article examines the etiology and pathogenesis of wedge-shaped defects, their clinical and morphological features, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, modern treatment principles, and prevention.