Rate and pattern of interproximal dental attrition

Area of Science:

• Dental Anthropology
• Paleodontology
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Tooth wear, specifically occlusal attrition (OA) and interproximal attrition facets (PAF), is a common phenomenon influenced by various factors and generally increases with age.
• Understanding the age-related progression of different types of tooth wear is crucial for assessing oral health and reconstructing past lifestyles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the rate and pattern of interproximal attrition facet (PAF) development with age.
• To compare the age-related changes in PAF with those of occlusal attrition (OA).

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 594 teeth from 198 adult skulls (aged 20-71 years).
• Examination of three mandibular teeth (first premolar, second premolar, first molar) for PAF size and OA rate.
• Statistical correlation analysis between age, PAF size, and OA rate.

Main Results:

• Both OA and PAF showed similar developmental patterns until 40-45 years of age.
• After 45 years, OA continued to progress, while PAF size did not significantly increase and was smaller than in younger individuals.
• PAF development varied between premolars and molars, unlike OA, which showed consistent progression across all studied teeth.
• OA scores correlated moderately with age, whereas PAF area size showed low correlations with age.

Conclusions:

• Interproximal attrition facets (PAF) and occlusal attrition (OA) exhibit distinct age-related development patterns, particularly after middle age.
• Differences in PAF development between premolars and molars suggest variations in attritional patterns, tooth morphology, and biomechanical forces.
• While both OA and PAF show some correlation with age, their divergent trajectories highlight the complexity of tooth wear progression.