abrasion

1. An excoriation, or circumscribed removal of the superficial layers of skin or mucous membrane. Syn: abraded wound.

2. A scraping away of a portion of the surface.

3. In dentistry, the pathological grinding or wearing away of tooth substance by incorrect tooth-brushing methods, foreign objects, bruxism, or similar causes. Syn: grinding. Cf. attrition.

Origin

[see abrade]

brush burn abrasion

gingival abrasion

mechanical abrasion

tooth abrasion