The aim of this study was to

evaluate the orientation and

number of Hunter–Schreger (HS)

bands in the incisal third of

anterior teeth, and their correlation

with the degree of tooth attrition.

Methods

This experimental study was

exempt from Institutional Review

Board (IRB) review by the Ethics

Committee of Stony Brook

University (Ref. IRB2024-00458).

Sample collection: Extracted

anterior teeth were obtained from

cadavers. Inclusion criteria

consisted of anterior teeth

presenting signs of physiological

wear, without crowns or

restorations covering the incisal

edges, and without evidence of

traumatic fractures. Exclusion

criteria included fractured teeth,

teeth with restorations involving

the incisal edges, and other signs

of crown destruction not

attributable to physiological wear.

The selection process was

conducted by a single calibrated

operator trained in identifying and

classifying the teeth according to

the inclusion and exclusion

criteria.

Grouping and wear classification: After selection based on

morphological cues, the teeth were grouped in the upper and

lower cuspids, centrals, and laterals. After grouping, the degree of

tooth wear was classified using the Gustafson’s scoring of attrition

level, were 0 indicates no presence of attrition, 1 indicates enamel

attrition, 2 indicates attrition at the level of the dentin, and a score

of 3 indicates attrition involving the pulp cavity. (Figure 1)

Results

Correlation Between Hunter-Schreger Band Characteristics and Dental Attrition: A

Pilot Study

James Clay Sheffield DDS* ,Rafael Delgado-Ruiz DDS MSc PhD, Kenneth Kurtz DDS FACP,

Tanya Somohano-Marquez DMD FACP

While there were no substantial

differences between classes of wear

within a single anatomical type,

there were some variations in

density and angle between different

anatomical types that are worn at

the same level (Figure 4). This

suggests that the density and angle

of HS bands may differ between

canines, laterals, and central

incisors.

Figure 1.

Classification of

teeth wear

Class 0 Class 1 Class 2 Class 3

142 teeth were included. Anatomic groups were maxillary centrals

(20), maxillary laterals (20), canines (48), and mandibular incisors

(54) (Figure 5). For canines, ANOVA showed no significant

differences across attrition classes in either band density (p =

0.796) or band angle (p = 0.093). Similarly, no significant

differences were observed for mandibular incisors in band density

(p = 0.171) or band angle (p = 0.365). Because no Class 2 or 3

attrition was present in maxillary central incisors, an independent t-

test was applied, revealing no significant differences between Class

d

0 and Class 1 for band density (p = 0.411) or band angle (p =

0.099). For maxillary lateral incisors, ANOVA likewise showed no

significant differences in band density (p = 0.163) or band angle (p

= 0.157).

Anatomic Group Number of Teeth (n)

Maxillary centrals 20

Sample preparation: After classification of the degree of tooth

wear, the teeth were sectioned longitudinally in two halves with a

diamond cutting disc (K6974 Komet USA). Teeth were then

consecutively polished using 300,600,800, and 1,200 coarse sand

paper (3M, USA) under water flow. HS Bands analysis: To

evaluate the angles of HS bands, a line perpendicular to the long

axis of the tooth was drawn. Given that the bands run parallel to

each other in the incisal third, only the angle of the most coronal

dark band was measured. (Figure 2). Next, the teeth were viewed

under 100x magnification to count the number of bands present in

the the most incisal 2mm of the tooth. (Figure 3).

Maxillary laterals 20

Canines 48

Mandibular incisors 54

Total 142

Figure 5. Sample Size

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this study, no

correlation was found between

Hunter-Schreger band density and

angles with tooth wear.