Long-Term In Vivo Evaluation of Occlusal Tooth Wear Progression Utilising 3D Analysis: A 25-Year Retrospective Study

Area of Science:

• Dental research
• Clinical diagnostics
• Longitudinal studies

Background:

• Investigated the progression of occlusal tooth wear over a 25-year period.
• Utilized a retrospective observational design with 33 participants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the progression of occlusal tooth wear over 25 years.
• To identify factors contributing to tooth wear.
• To evaluate the efficacy of 3D digital analysis in assessing tooth wear.

Main Methods:

• Collected dental casts from three phases (1996, 1999, 2021) for 33 participants.
• Generated digital models and performed quantitative and qualitative 3D analysis of tooth wear using specialized software.
• Assessed behavioral and clinical factors via a standardized questionnaire.

Main Results:

• Occlusal tooth wear significantly increased over time, affecting 42.9% of teeth in Phase I to 85.7% in Phase III.
• Lower first molars were identified as the most affected teeth.
• Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) scores increased significantly, indicating moderate tooth wear and need for treatment.

Conclusions:

• Occlusal tooth wear shows significant progression over 25 years, with lower first molars being particularly susceptible.
• Lifestyle and health conditions are identified as contributing factors to tooth wear.
• Three-dimensional (3D) digital analysis is confirmed as a precise and reliable method for long-term tooth wear assessment.