[Cup-shaped tooth wear defects: more than erosive challenges?].

The underlying mechanism of the development of cups and grooves on occlusal tooth surfaces is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors contributing to in-vitro cup formation, and to elucidate the clinical process. Extracted human molar teeth were exposed to acidic aqueous solutions at pH of 4.8 and 5.5 in combination with different loading conditions: no load (0N, control), 30N or 50N. Before and after 3 months exposure, the samples were scanned using a non-contact profilometer. A statistically significant difference between a loading of 0N and 50N was found at pH 4.8 (p < 0.002). Cup shaped lesions had formed only at pH of 4.8, in the 30N and 50N groups. The study showed that a cup can arise fully in enamel and that this requires simultaneous acidic and mechanical loading.