Intraoral scanner-based monitoring of tooth wear in young adults: 36-month results.

OBJECTIVES: The study continues our longitudinal observation of wear aiming to further monitoring of progression and lesion morphology and to identify relationships with assumed aetiological factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Molars (FDI #36 or #46) of 74 participants (23.8 ± 2.2 years) were scanned (Trios 3, 3Shape) at the third follow-up (T3; observation period 1,111 ± 10 days). Data sets from T3, T2 (24-month follow-up) and T1 (12-month follow-up) were superimposed with baseline in a 3D analysis software (GOM Inspect). Wear was quantified as maximum vertical tissue loss (µm; median, 95% CI) in various occlusal areas (4/5 cusps and 2 ridges). Morphologies were classified into cupping (C), facet (F), and combined cupping-facet (CF). Aetiological factors were assessed with questionnaires. RESULTS: Wear increased at T3 significantly at low rates in all areas of the occlusal surface (median between 7.0 (4.0;10.5) and 9.5 (6.0;15.0) µm). There was a clear trend for higher loss values in males, but no association with other factors such as nutrition. C and CF showed significantly higher loss values than F. Areas without initial wear developed F first, which either persisted or developed into C and CF. CONCLUSIONS: Wear continued at low rates with C/CF morphology and sex as significant factors. Cupped lesions seem to develop from facets and thus may not be a valid diagnostic criterion for erosive tooth wear. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Wear is a cumulative process that apparently follows complex mechanisms that cannot be conceptualized in simplified terms; C and CF may be indicators for higher progression rates.

Intraoral scanner-based monitoring of tooth wear in young adults: 24-month results.

OBJECTIVES: Tooth wear causes irreversible cumulated surface loss and already occurs at a young age. Therefore, the objective of this clinical prospective observational study was to monitor the occlusal surface of a mandibular first molar in young adults for a period of 24 months. Furthermore, potential aetiological factors obtained by a questionnaire were considered. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study teeth (FDI #36 or #46) of 81 participants (mean age 22.8 ± 2.2 years) were scanned with the intraoral scanner (IOS, Trios 3, 3Shape) at the second follow-up (T2) after an observation period of 24 months. Standard-tessellation-language datasets were superimposed with baseline (T0) and T2 scans in 3D analysis software (GOM Inspect). The maximum vertical substance loss was measured between T0 and T2 at 6/7 areas (4/5 cusps and 2 ridges) of each study tooth and data compared to the already published data of the first follow-up (T1) after 12-month observation period. The morphology of tooth wear was classified into three groups: cupping (C), facet (F) and combined cupping-facet (CF). The analysis of aetiological factors, such as acid impacts, was based on a questionnaire filled out by participants at time points T0, T1 and T2. Non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The buccal load-bearing cusps (mesiobuccal: median 15 µm, 95%CI 11/18 µm; mesiolingual 8 µm, 0/11 µm) were most affected by tooth wear. Loss values increased significantly at T2 compared to T1 for all areas, although significantly less than in the first 12 months (T0-T1). Areas that already exhibited F at T0 mostly displayed them also at T2 and only rarely developed further into C or CF. The only association between aetiological factors and loss values could be detected for sex as males had significantly higher loss values than females. CONCLUSIONS: Progression of tooth wear could be clearly shown with high interindividual variations in loss values among participants. This indicates the need for individual monitoring with IOS. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: IOSs show the potential for patient-specific monitoring to detect the progression of tooth wear. Thus, data of 24 months fills the gap of tooth wear data for young adults in literature. Further studies over a longer observation period are highly recommended to gain more information about the dynamic of tooth wear and aetiological factors.

The Suitability of Questionnaires for Exploring Relations of Dietary Behavior and Tooth Wear.

Tooth wear is a relevant oral health problem, especially at a young age. Although ongoing acid exposures may contribute to tooth wear, the role of acidic dietary components in this context remains unclear. To date, in tooth wear studies, dietary behavior has been assessed using traditional questionnaires, but the suitability of this approach has not been investigated so far. In our longitudinal study, we followed 91 participants (21.0 ± 2.2 years) over a period of 1 year (373 ± 19 days) and monitored tooth wear with an intraoral scanner. At baseline (T0) and at the end (T1), we assessed dietary behavior with questionnaires asking about the consumption frequencies of acidic dietary components and the acid taste preferences. Complete data were available from 80 subjects. The consumption frequencies of T0 and T1 correlated weakly to moderately. Taste preferences seem to be a more consistent measure, but there was predominantly no significant correlation with the corresponding consumption frequencies. None of the dietary parameters showed a significant relation with tooth wear. The suitability of dietary questionnaires to assess tooth-relevant dietary behavior seems to be limited.