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Updated: May 22, 2026
08:47
Mimicking and Measuring Occlusal Erosive Tooth Wear with the "Rub&Roll" and Non-contact Profilometry
Published on: February 2, 2018
Severe tooth wear in Prader-Willi syndrome. A case-control study
Ronnaug Saeves1, Ivar Espelid, Kari Storhaug
1TAKO-centre, Lovisenberg Diakonale Hospital, Lovisenberggt 17, 0440 Oslo, Norway. Ronnaug.Saeves@tako.no
BMC Oral Health
|May 30, 2012
Summary
Individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) experience severe tooth wear due to erosion and attrition. This highlights a significant need for dental rehabilitation in affected young adults.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Dentistry
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder with multisystemic effects, including oral abnormalities.
- Individuals with PWS often exhibit severe hypotonia, endocrine issues, hyperphagia, obesity, and cognitive impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of tooth wear in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome.
- To identify potential risk factors associated with tooth wear in the PWS population.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 49 individuals with PWS (aged 6-40) and an age/sex-matched control group.
- Tooth wear assessed using the Visual Erosion Dental Examination (VEDE) and individual tooth wear index (IA) from dental casts, photographs, and clinical evaluation.
- Whole saliva collection and analysis.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher tooth wear (VEDE and IA scores) in the PWS group compared to controls (p < 0.001).
- Tooth wear in PWS correlated with age, reduced saliva secretion, and tooth grinding.
- Multivariate analysis confirmed PWS, age, and tooth grinding as significant predictors of tooth wear.
Conclusions:
- Tooth wear, encompassing both erosion and attrition, is a critical issue in Prader-Willi syndrome.
- Young adults with PWS demonstrate a substantial requirement for prosthodontic rehabilitation due to severe tooth wear.
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