Tooth survival in a multicultural group of aged in Israel

Survival of natural dentition was studied in a multicultural group of 826 elderly people living in sheltered conditions in three old-age homes. It was found that the ratio of dentate subjects decreased progressively with age. The proportion of dentate men was significantly higher than that of women. The ratio of dentate subjects among the immigrants from Afro-Asian countries was significantly higher than among the European group. As the number of denture wearers among the elderly of European origin greatly exceeded that of Afro-Asian extraction, the assumption was made that the more advanced cultural background of the Europeans motivated them to take more advantage of dental services and as a result they had more teeth extracted due to preprosthodontic preparations. The mandibular teeth showed a higher survival rate than the maxillary. Most remaining dental units (teeth and roots) were found in the front region in both jaws, with definite persistance of canines and a clear tendency towards diminishing numbers of posterior tooth types. Studies on tooth survival may provide useful information for assessing needs and planning services for the aged in modern society and may contribute to better understanding of prosthodontic problems encountered in practice.