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Age-related odontometric changes of human teeth
Peter E Murray1, Harold R Stanley, John B Matthews
1Oral Biology, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis 46202-5782, USA. petmurra@iupui.edu
Summary
As people age, teeth develop thicker dentin and lower pulp cell density. This impacts restorative dental treatments and pulp repair in older patients.
Area of Science:
- Dental Anatomy
- Gerodontology
- Histomorphometry
Background:
- Increasing longevity and improved oral health lead to more older patients needing restorative dental care.
- Aging-related changes in dental tissues, specifically odontometrics, are not well-documented.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for effective dental treatment planning for the elderly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related alterations in pulp cell density and dentinal thickness.
- To analyze changes in odontoblasts, subodontoblasts, and pulp core fibroblasts with age.
- To compare age-related changes in the crown and root aspects of teeth.
Main Methods:
- Histomorphometric analysis of 147 teeth (incisors, canines, premolars, molars) from 60 patients aged 10–59 years.
- Quantification of cell densities (odontoblasts, subodontoblasts, pulp fibroblasts) and dentinal thickness.
- Examination of both coronal and radicular tooth aspects.
Main Results:
- Dentinal thickness significantly increased with age in both crown and root (P <.001).
- Pulp cell densities (odontoblasts, subodontoblasts, fibroblasts) significantly decreased with age (P <.011).
- Age-related decreases were more pronounced in the root than the crown, despite higher dentinal deposition rates in the root.
Conclusions:
- Reduced pulp cell density with age may impair pulp repair capacity after dental procedures.
- Increased dentinal thickness offers enhanced protection to the pulp in older individuals.
- Knowledge of these age-related dental changes is vital for optimizing restorative and endodontic care for geriatric patients.