Longitudinal relationship between incisal occlusion and incisal tooth wear

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the longitudinal relationship between incisal wear of central incisors and the size of vertical overbite (OB) and horizontal overjet (OJ). Stone casts of 51 subjects were used for the determinations. Casts were obtained when the subjects were 15 and 27 years old. Statistical analysis was performed with the t test for paired samples, the chi-square test of association. Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Both overbite and overjet diminished after 12 years, and incisal wear increased. It was concluded that increase in age, incisal wear, vertical overbite and incisal occlusion (OB/OJ) are clinical predictors of wear of maxillary and mandibular central incisors in adolescents.