Toothwear and the older patient
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Precision of In Vivo Quantitative Tooth Wear Measurement Using Intra-Oral Scans
Published on: July 12, 2022
Francis M Burke1, Gerald McKenna
1University College Cork, Ireland.
Unlabelled:
Toothwear is commonly observed in dentate older patients and may be physiological or pathological in nature. Toothwear can be caused by abrasion, attrition, erosion or a combination of aetiologies. Where treatment is required, a number of options exist, including the use of adhesive materials and fixed and removable prosthodontics.
Clinical Relevance:
With patients retaining natural teeth into old age, physiological and pathological toothwear amongst dentate older patients is an increasingly common presentation.
Related Concept Videos
Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...
Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Tonsillitis II: Management

