Prosthetic epidemiology

The need for an epidemiological method which focuses upon the problems of missing teeth, tooth spaces and prosthetic treatment is emphasized. From the prosthetic viewpoint the distinction between missing teeth and tooth spaces must be made and examples are given to show that up to 20 per cent of missing teeth do not give rise to tooth space. The presentation of the prosthetic parameters per tooth is recommended using the six alternatives: tooth present; tooth missing (open space); tooth missing (closed space); tooth replaced by pontic in fixed bridge, by removable partial denture, or by complete denture. In the presentation of the mean number of existing teeth, fixed bridge pontics should be included as they serve as natural teeth both aesthetically and functionally. Data on removable dentures, or edentulism without denture wearing, should be presented in such a way that comparisons at jaw level as well as at person level can be made. A system for this is described. The method may be used in industrialized countries where there is much prosthetic treatment as well as in developing countries with few health services. Comparisons will still be meaningful.