Tooth wear in young individuals has increased significantly in
recent years. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to estimate the prevalence
and to learn clinical features and factors associated with tooth wear in
the Ukrainian adult population age to 40 years. Methodology. Data on clinical
investigation were collected in a survey of 2053 employees of ore mining
enterprise aged 18-40 years. It has been studied the prevalence and clinics of
tooth wear depending on age and sex, and also taking into account influencing
of the working-environment harmful and other etiological factors. The
investigation involved the analysis of tooth contacts on working and balancing
sides and the definition of type of intercuspidation which is described
by occlusal concepts. Results. According to the obtained data, the prevalence
of tooth wear was 27.6 ± 1.0 %. The process was the most severe in
spreading and depth of loss in the presence of working-environment harmful
factors (32.1 ± 1.5 % vs. 23.4 ± 1.3 %, p < 0.05). The absence of any strong
correlation between progressive tooth wear and such etiological factors as
age (r = 0.48; p < 0.05), work experience in harmful production (r = 0.61;
p < 0.05), the dust content in air of the working zone (r = 0.63; p < 0.05),
the presence of background pathology of the gastrointestinal tract (r = 0.42;
p 0.05), the presence of local
factors (r = 0.38; p <0.05), excessive oral hygiene (r = 0.12; p <0.05), use of
carbonated drinks (r = 0.32; p <0.05) suggested the impossibility of providing
a leading trigger mechanism for the development of the tooth wear. As a
result of the clinical study of dental contacts in lateral occlusion, it was found
that 30.0 ± 3.7 % persons had canines’ contacts and 70.0 ± 3.7 % had group
contacts of canines, premolars and molars under physiological tooth wear.
Otherwise, in the group of pathological (increased) tooth wear, canines’ contact on the working side was established in 23.5 ± 4.2 % of cases, group contacts
– 76.5 ± 4.2 %. Thus, significant differences between the prevalence of
occlusal concepts in the research group had not been found (p > 0.05). Intercuspidation
on balancing side was found in 36.0 ± 3.9% of persons who have
physiological tooth wear, and 63.3 ± 4.8% – pathological one (p < 0.05).
Significant difference between the prevalence of bilateral balancing occlusion
in research groups demonstrated that these occlusal contacts promoted
increased wear of occlusal surfaces, especially chewing segments of dentition.
Thus, dispensary observation of patients with tooth wear should take
into account the clinical and pathogenetic features of the disease, comply
with the principles of complexity of medical and diagnostic measures, fulltime
care, stage and preventive direction. Conclusion. Tooth wear is a prevalent
condition in this population. Significantly higher prevalence and severity
of tooth wear was associated with the exposure of harmful factors of
dust-gas mixture from the production. In addition, other etiological factors
contribute to the development of the pathological process in enamel and dentine,
among which peculiarities of occlusal contacts, described as “occlusal
concepts”. To reduce the prevalence and intensity of tooth wear, in particular
in the adult population age to 40 years, there is a need for dispensary, which
involves early diagnosis, regular examinations, prophylaxis and treatment,
aimed at preventing complications
