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The prevalence of occlusal attrition and considerations for treatment in a noninstitutionalized older population
Author(s) -
HAND JED S.,
BECK JAMES D.,
TURNER KENNETH A.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
special care in dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.328
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1754-4505
pISSN - 0275-1879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1754-4505.1987.tb00647.x
Subject(s) - attrition , medicine , dentistry , vertical dimension of occlusion , population , smokeless tobacco , environmental health , tobacco use
A representative sample of 520 dentate older adults living in rural Iowa were examined in their homes for the presence of occlusal or incisal attrition. Enamel attrition was found in 84.2% of the population, dentinal attrition in 72.9%, and severe attrition in 4.2%. Approximately 25% of this population's teeth were affected with substantial attrition. Attrition was more prevalent in the anterior segments. The prevalence of substantial attrition was associated with the number of remaining teeth, gender, gingival bleeding, and the use of smokeless tobacco. The decision to treat occlusal attrition in these older people should be based on the etiology and progression of the condition and other factors specific to the individual. The treatment of choice is determined by the extent and severity of the condition and the amount of occlusal vertical dimension lost.