attrition

attrition

 [ah-trĭ´shun]

the wearing away of a substance or structure (such as the teeth) in the course of normal use.

at·tri·tion

(ă-trish'ŭn),

1. Wearing away by friction or rubbing.

2. In dentistry, physiologic loss of tooth structure caused by the abrasive character of food or by bruxism. Compare: abrasion.

[L. at-tero, pp. -tritus, to rub against, rub away]

attrition

[ətrish′ən]

Etymology: L, atterere, to wear away

1 the process of wearing away or wearing down by friction.

2 the physiological wearing away of the teeth such as from normal mastication, grinding, bruxism, premature contacts, or abnormal tooth structures. See abrasion, abfraction, erosion.

3 individuals who withdraw or are dismissed from a study or program of study.

attrition

The dropping out of a participant in a trial or study.

at·tri·tion

(ă-trish'ŭn)

1. Wearing away by friction or rubbing.

2. In dentistry, physiologic loss of tooth structure caused by normal wear inherent in the aging process, as well as by the abrasive character of food or by bruxism.
Compare: abrasion

3. The loss of participants over the course of a study, which can create bias and threaten the internal validity of the study.

[L. at-tero, pp. -tritus, to rub against, rub away]

at·tri·tion

(ă-trish'ŭn)

1. In dentistry, physiologic loss of tooth structure caused by normal wear inherent in the aging process, as well as by the abrasive character of food or by bruxism.

2. Wearing away by friction or rubbing.

[L. at-tero, pp. -tritus, to rub against, rub away]

attrition (ətrish´ən),

n the normal loss of tooth substance resulting from friction caused by physiologic forces.

Attrition.

attrition

the physiological wearing away of a substance or structure in the course of normal use.

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dental attrition

see dental attrition.