An Investigation into Non Carious Tooth Wear and Associated Clinical findings

Introduction: Non carious lesions are multicausal clinical status with wide diversity of prevalence among individuals and populations. Several etiologic backgrounds may simultaneously play role in the incidence of this condition. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of non carious tooth wear and to point out the strength of correlation between occlusal, incisal and cervical tooth wears and the most eminent associated clinical findings. Materials and methods: 338 patients 174 male and 164 female their age ranged from 20 to an opened range over 50 years were examined by one examiner. A comprehensive dental and periodontal examination was performed to identify presence and extension of non carious lesions by applying simplified scoring criteria for tooth wear index. Examination of hypersensitivity was performed by applying Wong-Backer faces pain rating scale. A questionnaire form included information regarding oral hygiene performance, type of tooth brush, method and frequency of tooth brushing. Dietary habits such as snakes and acidic food or drink consumption. Parafunction and smoking habit was also included. (Chi Square test) was applied to present the strength of association between tooth wear and the other variables investigated in this study. Results: A significant association was detected between the 3 types of tooth wear. These lesions are age dependent with no significant differences in their incidence between male and female. Frequency and type of tooth brush found to have a significant effect on non carious tooth wear. Furthermore, the study recorded significant relations of tooth wear to parafunction, extracted posterior teeth and gingival recession. However, no significant relation was detected between tooth wear and some other variables examined in this study such as dietary habits acid food and drink, smoking, dental caries, gingival bleeding and periodontal pockets. Conclusion: Several causes found to participate in the occurrence of tooth wear. Frequently develops under functional and parafunctional occlusal and incisal contact between the teeth in maxillary and mandibular arch that wear enamel and dentine away with age. It also weakens dental structure at the cervical portion of the teeth to wear off under the effect of tooth brushing and acid food and drink.