Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Precision of In Vivo Quantitative Tooth Wear Measurement Using Intra-Oral Scans
Published on: July 12, 2022
Incidence of Tooth Loss in Adults: A 4-Year Population-Based Prospective Cohort Study
Manoelito Ferreira Silva-Junior1, Marília Jesus Batista2, Maria da Luz Rosário de Sousa1
1Department of Community Dentistry, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Avenue Limeira 901, 13414-903 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
Objective:
To verify the incidence of tooth loss in extended age group of adults in 4 years.
Materials And Methods:
The prospective cohort study assessed adults (20-64 years old) between 2011 and 2015, from Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. The dependent variable was cumulative incidence of tooth loss, assessed by difference between missing teeth (M) of decayed, missing, and filled tooth index (DMFT) in 2011 and 2015. Participants were stratified into young (20-44 years old) and older (45-64 years old) adults. Mann-Whitney U test (p < 0.05) was used to compare the means of incidence of tooth loss between age groups.
Results:
After four years, 57.7% (n = 143) of adults were followed up and the mean incidence of tooth loss was 0.91 (SD = 1.65); among these, 51 adults (35.7%) who lost their teeth showed mean tooth loss of 2.55 (SD = 1.86). In older adults, incidence of tooth loss was higher (p = 0.008), but no difference between age groups was found when only adults with incidence of tooth loss were assessed (p = 0.844).
Conclusion:
There was higher incidence of tooth loss in older adults after four years, however, without difference between age groups when only those who lost teeth were evaluated.
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...
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...
Prevalence and Incidence
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health...
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Longitudinal Research
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...

