External cervical resorption (ECR) refers to a pathological state in which resorption tissues penetrate into the dentin at the cervical aspect of the root. Despite being latent in its initial phase, ECR could cause severe damage to mineralized dental tissue and even involve the pulp if not given timely diagnosis and treatment. Nevertheless, the etiology of ECR is still poorly understood, which adds to the difficulty in early diagnosis. ECR has received growing attention in recent years due to the increasing number of clinical cases. Several potential predisposing factors have been recognized in cross-sectional studies as well as case reports. In the meantime, studies on histopathology and pathogenesis have shed light on possible mechanisms of ECR. This review aims to summarize the latest findings in the pathogenesis and potential predisposing factors of ECR, so as to provide pragmatic reference for clinical practice.

颈外吸收（ECR）是指牙根颈侧吸收组织侵入牙本质的病理状态。尽管ECR处于潜伏期，但如果不及时诊断和治疗，它可能会对矿化牙组织造成严重损害，甚至累及牙髓。然而，ECR的病因仍知之甚少，这增加了早期诊断的难度。近年来，随着临床病例的不断增加，ECR越来越受到人们的关注。横断面研究和病例报告已认识到一些潜在的诱发因素。与此同时，组织病理学和发病机制的研究揭示了 ECR 的可能机制。本文旨在总结ECR发病机制及潜在诱发因素的最新研究成果，为临床提供实用参考。