Association between Attrition and Physical , Psychological and Sociodemographic Variables

The aim of this descriptive observational study was to assess the possible risk factors contributing towards dental attrition. The sample consisted of 200 patients, 100 in case group and 100 in control group all falling in the age group of 15-60 years. The patients were evaluated for the dental and occlusal variables, craniofacial and morphological variables, soft tissue and functional variable, general health and dietary habits, psychological and parafunctional and Sociodemographic variable. Deep bite, Angle's class II malocclusion, faulty restorations, poor oral hygiene, TMJ disorders, ridging of buccal mucosa, scalloping of tongue, acidity, consumption of carbonated drinks, stress, bruxism, consumption of caffeine, age, married people and low socioeconomic status were found to be highly significant( p<0.001) risk factors contributing towards dental attrition. Factors like non vegetarian diet and missing teeth were also found to contribute towards dental attrition. Some variables contributing towards dental attrition were well known earlier like age, bruxism, TMJ disorders but in this study some new variables were found like acidity, consumption of caffeine, scalloping of tongue and married peoples. Further studies need to be done regarding these variables as possible risk factors for Dental attrition.