Speech changes in patients with a full rehabilitation for severe tooth wear, a first evaluation study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in speech characteristics and self-perceived quality of speech in tooth wear patients, after occlusal rehabilitation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with tooth wear were included in this study after informed consent. The amount of tooth wear was scored with Tooth Wear Evaluation System (TWES). To assess the perspective of the patient, the Dutch Speech Handicap Index was used (SHI). Acoustic analysis was performed to evaluate changes with the use of voice recordings. These were made before treatment, T0; directly after treatment, T1; 1 month after treatment, T2. With the use of PRAAT software, the spectral characteristic centre of gravity (COG) was evaluated for the sounds /s/, /f/, /v/, /d/, /t/, /m/. RESULTS: Recordings of 17 patients (14 men, 3 women, mean age 41.2 ± 10.4 years) were included. SHI scores did not change significantly between T0 and T2 (p = 0.054). A multiple regression model showed that for all sounds the intercept was negative, but statistically significant only for /s/ and /f/ between T0 and T1. The effect of the initial change (between T0 and T1) on the change between T1 and T2 was clearly negative for all sounds (p < 0.001), showing a rebound effect ranging between 29 and 68% of the initial change. CONCLUSION: Tooth wear patients perceive improvement in speech function after treatment. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Clinicians may explain to patients that speech is likely to alter for a short period due to treatment but that there will be a good adaption to the new situation.

The influence of management of tooth wear on oral health-related quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the level of oral health-related quality of life and orofacial appearance in patients with moderate to severe tooth wear. Patients with and without a request for restorative treatment were included. METHODS: One hundred twenty-four patients (98 men, 26 women, mean age: 40.5 ± 8.8 years) with moderate to severe tooth wear were included. Patients without a request for help received a non-restorative treatment of counseling and monitoring. Patients with a request for restorative treatment were treated with a full rehabilitation using composite resin restorations. Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-NL) and Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES-NL) questionnaires were filled in at baseline and after 1 year. RESULTS: Counseling and monitoring group: baseline OHIP-NL score was 0.4 ± 0.3, baseline summary score of OES-NL was 48 ± 7.0, and baseline impression score was 7.1 ± 1.2. Scores had not changed significantly after 1 year (p = 1.00 after Bonferroni correction).Restoration group: baseline OHIP-NL score was 0.8 ± 0.6, baseline summary score of OES-NL was 38 ± 10, and baseline impression score was 5.9 ± 1.5. Scores had improved significantly after 1 year (p < 0.001 after Bonferroni correction). CONCLUSIONS: Counseling and monitoring did not result in a significant deterioration and restorative treatment resulted in a significant improvement of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and orofacial appearance in this patient group. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In patients with moderate to severe tooth wear, without functional and esthetical problems, counseling and monitoring may be an appropriate treatment option. Restorative treatment in patients with a need for treatment results in an improved OHRQoL. OHIP and OES questionnaires may be used to monitor changes in clinically relevant symptoms.

Severe Tooth Wear: European Consensus Statement on Management Guidelines.

This paper presents European expert consensus guidelines on the management of severe tooth wear. It focuses on the definition of physiological vs pathological tooth wear and recommends diagnosis, prevention, counseling, and monitoring aimed at elucidating the etiology, nature, rate and means of controlling pathological tooth wear. Management decisions are multifactorial, depending principally on the severity and effects of the wear and the wishes of the patient. Restorative intervention is typically best delayed as long as possible. When such intervention is indicated and agreed upon with the patient, a conservative, minimally invasive approach is recommended, complemented by supportive preventive measures. Examples of adhesive, minimum-intervention management protocols are presented.

3D Facial Effects of a Simulated Dental Build-up.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the 3D-stereophotogrammetry technique to detect differences in facial appearance after a simulated rehabilitation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven volunteers without tooth wear participated. A 3D-stereophotograph was taken in five different situations: resting position, teeth in occlusion, and teeth in occlusion with a 1 mm-, 3 mm- or 5 mm resin block between the first molars. Cephalometric measurements were performed on the 3D-stereophotographs using the software program Maxilim® (Medicim NV Mechelen, Belgium). Four anatomical parameters were analyzed: (1) Subnasale-Gnathion, (2) Subnasale-Stomion, (3) Stomion-Gnathion, and (4) Masseter right-Masseter left. A paired Student's T-test was applied to detect significant differences (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Statistically significant changes in facial appearance of the lower facial height were detected in all measured positions, teeth in occlusion, 1 mm-, 3 mm-, and 5 mm block (p < 0.05). For the main distance (Subnasale-Gnathion) the mean measured differences were, respectively, 3.2 mm; 5.2 mm; and 6.7 mm. CONCLUSIONS: With 3D-stereophotograph imaging technology, it was possible to detect changes in facial appearance after an artificial increase of vertical dimension of occlusion. This finding implies that reconstruction of loss of tooth substance may cause a visible change in facial appearance of the patient. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study reveals a new 3D imaging technique that may be used for a better and more comprehensive treatment planning in patients with severe tooth wear. (J Esthet Restor Dent 28:397-404, 2016).

Prospective Study on CAD/CAM Nano-Ceramic (Composite) Restorations in the Treatment of Severe Tooth Wear.

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical performance of minimally invasive, CAD/CAM nano-ceramic (composite) restorations in patients with severe tooth wear, the effect of the restorative treatment on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and the etiology of tooth wear as a risk factor for restoration failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with generalized severe tooth wear were included. Restorations (LAVA Ultimate, 3M Oral Care) were cemented (RelyX Ultimate, 3M Oral Care) on all teeth and were evaluated after 1 month and 1 year. OHRQoL was assessed via questionnaires at baseline and after 1 year. Differences were evaluated (paired t-test). Two mechanical tooth-wear lesions resulting from tooth-tooth contact, and 3 chemical tooth wear lesions resulting from intrinsic or extrinsic acids dissolving natural hard tooth substance, were evaluated to assess the etiology of tooth wear in association with restoration failure using multilevel logistic regression analyses (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (age: 41.7 ± 10.4 years) were evaluated after 1 year (13.5 ± 1.2 months). 568 indirect CAD/CAM restorations were placed. None were replaced or lost. Twelve were repaired and 10 were refurbished. Success rates were 100% to 97.2%. Questionnaires showed a significant positive impact of the treatment on OHRQoL (p < 0.001). The presence of mechanical lesions did not pose a higher risk for restoration failure (p = 0.78). The presence of chemical lesions showed a lower risk of restoration failure (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The use of minimally invasive, CAD/CAM nano-ceramic (composite) restorations in the restorative treatment of severely worn dentitions showed satisfactory results in the short term.

Impact of restorative treatment of tooth wear upon masticatory performance.

OBJECTIVE: The restorative treatment of generalized tooth wear involves an increase in vertical dimension of occlusion and a comprehensive alteration of occlusal morphology. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a direct adhesive restorative treatment on masticatory performance parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 23 fully dentate adult generalized tooth wear patients (17 male, 6 female, age 41.7 ±â€¯8.3 years) undergoing direct composite restorative treatment was selected. Before and one month after restorative treatment with resin bonded composite restorations, masticatory performance was evaluated using 1) a comminution test, 2) a maximum voluntary bite force recording and 3) the sum score of five items related to eating and chewing from the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-49) questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using a paired t-test, and analysis per OHIP item was done by a McNemar test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in median particle size (X50) calculated before and after treatment (4.19 ±â€¯0.97 and 4.03 ±â€¯0.76, respectively, p = 0.327). Maximum voluntary bite force decreased significantly after treatment (baseline 389 ±â€¯90 N, one month recall 323 ±â€¯173 N, p = 0.028). The sum score of the five OHIP items significantly decreased after treatment (baseline 10.6 ±â€¯4.8, one month recall 6.6 ±â€¯2.5, p = 0.001), with the item regarding unsatisfactory diet showing the largest significance (p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the restorative treatment of generalized tooth wear using direct resin bonded composite has no significant short-term effect on masticatory performance as measured with a comminution test, although the self-reported ability to eat and chew, as measured by the sum score of all pertaining OHIP items, did significantly improve. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: On individual level, food comminution could be influenced by restorative treatment with increase of vertical dimension of occlusion, but at group level no significant effect is observed. Nevertheless, tooth wear patients do perceive improved ability to eat and chew foods, which is clinically relevant.

Impact of tooth wear on masticatory performance.

OBJECTIVE: Masticatory performance is influenced by a number of variables such as age, gender, bite force, and occlusal units. Tooth wear may also play a role due to changes in occlusal area and in vertical dimension of occlusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tooth wear on masticatory performance, using a communition test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with different degrees of tooth wear, referred by their general dental practitioners, and included in the Radboud Tooth Wear Project, were approached for this study and included after informed consent. The amount of post canine wear was scored with the Tooth Wear Index (TWI). The number of occluding posterior units was quantified and the bite force was measured using a transducer. Masticatory performance was measured with a communition test, with the median particle size (X50) after 20 chewing cycles as outcome measure. A multiple regression model was used to assess the relation between TWI, age, gender, bite force, occlusal units and X50. RESULTS: 52 participants (40 male, 12 female, mean age: 40 ±â€¯8.2y) were included in the study. The post canine TWI-score was between 1.0-3.3. The average number of occlusal units per participant was 11.9 ±â€¯1.4 and the mean bite force 369 ±â€¯172 N. The mean X50 was 4.2 ±â€¯1.1. The results showed no significant relation between post canine TWI-score, age, gender, bite force, and occlusal units upon the X50 (p > 0.13). CONCLUSION: This study showed that the degree of tooth wear could not be observed to have an effect on masticatory performance. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: On individual level an effect could be present but looking at a larger group of patients, the degree of tooth wear did not have a relation with masticatory performance as measured with a communition test.

The facial effects of tooth wear rehabilitation as measured by 3D stereophotogrammetry.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effect of a full rehabilitation, including an increase of vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO), in patients with severe tooth wear on changes in facial appearance. METHODS: Patients with severe tooth wear were restoratively treated using direct composite restorations, including an increase of the VDO. Before and one month after treatment 3D stereophotographs were taken and facial changes were measured with the use of 3D cephalometric landmarks. Cast models were used to determine the Tooth Wear Index (TWI) and the VDO-increase. The Orofacial Esthetic Scale-questionnaire was used to evaluate subjective happiness with appearance. Paired Student's t-tests were used to evaluate the changes after full rehabilitation. The relation between the facial changes, VDO-increment and TWI-score were analyzed using multiple regression models (p < 0.05). RESULTS: 44 Patients (35 men, 9 women, mean age: 38.2 ±â€¯7.1 y) participated in this study. Mean TWI-score at baseline was 3.3 ±â€¯0.5 and the mean increase in VDO was 1.6 ±â€¯0.9 mm. Lower face height increased by 1.9 mm (p ≤ 0.001). Patients reported a significant improvement in orofacial appearance: OES-summary score of 34.3 ±â€¯11.2 before and 59.9 ±â€¯6.8 one month after treatment (p < 0.001). The increase of VDO resulted in an increase in Lower Face Height (p ≤ 0.002), whereas the TWI-score at baseline had no effect on the facial changes. The applied increase in VDO and TWI-score were not related to changes in OES-scores. CONCLUSIONS: A full rehabilitation with an increase in VDO resulted in objective differences in facial height as measured with 3D stereophotogrammetry. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In patients with severe tooth wear, receiving a full rehabilitation including an increase in vertical dimension of occlusion, an objectively change will occur in the Lower facial height, but this effect will be subjectively judged as a positive change.