Patterns of tooth wear associated with methamphetamine use.
BACKGROUND
Methamphetamine (MAP) abuse is a significant worldwide problem. This prospective study was conducted to determine if MAP users had distinct patterns of tooth wear.


METHODS
Methamphetamine users were identified and interviewed about their duration and preferred route of MAP use. Study participants were interviewed in the emergency department of a large urban university hospital serving a geographic area with a high rate of illicit MAP production and consumption. Tooth wear was documented for each study participant and scored using a previously validated index and demographic information was obtained using a questionnaire.


RESULTS
Forty-three MAP patients were interviewed. Preferred route of administration was injection (37%) followed by snorting (33%). Patients who preferentially snorted MAP had significantly higher tooth wear in the anterior maxillary teeth than patients who injected, smoked, or ingested MAP (P = 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients who use MAP have distinct patterns of wear based on route of administration. This difference may be explained anatomically.
Richards
J R
JR
Division of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, USA. jrrichards@ucdavis.edu
Brofeldt
B T
BT
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002140:California; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors; D014072:Tooth Abrasion / Q000209:etiology*; D019217:Tooth Attrition / Q000209:etiology*; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000209:etiology*
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008694:Methamphetamine