Risk factors for high occlusal wear scores in a population-based sample: results of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP).
OBJECTIVE
Using a population-based sample of the cross-sectional epidemiologic "Study of Health in Pomerania" (SHIP), this study evaluated whether certain occlusal and sociodemographic factors besides age and gender are risk factors for high dental wear.


METHODS
Medical history and dental and sociodemographic parameters of 2,529 dentate subjects selected representatively and according to age distribution were checked for correlations with the occurrence of high occlusal wear symptoms using a multivariate logistic regression model. Occlusal wear was recorded using the attrition index by Ekfeldt et al and was age adjusted by determining high occlusal wear for every 10-year age group as index values > or = 90th percentile.


RESULTS
The following independent variables were found to be correlated with high occlusal wear: male gender, odds ratio 2.2; frequent bruxism, odds ratio 2.5; loss of molar occlusal contact (Eichner classification), odds ratio from 1.5 to 3.1; edge-to-edge relation of incisors, odds ratio 1.7; unilateral buccolingual cusp-to-cusp relation, odds ratio 1.8; and unemployment, odds ratio 1.6. In contrast, anterior cross-bite, unilateral posterior cross-bite, and anterior crowding were protective for high occlusal wear levels, as shown by significantly reduced odds ratios. Gender-separated analysis showed that self-reported bruxism was a risk factor only for men.


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to some occlusal factors, the main factors associated with occlusal wear were bruxism and gender.
Bernhardt
Olaf
O
Department of Operative Dentistry, Dental School, University of Greifswald, Germany. obernhar@uni-greifswald.de
Gesch
Dietmar
D
Splieth
Christian
C
Schwahn
Christian
C
Mack
Florian
F
Kocher
Thomas
T
Meyer
Georg
G
John
Ulrich
U
Kordass
Bernd
B
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001732:Bite Force; D002012:Bruxism / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014072:Tooth Abrasion / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D019217:Tooth Attrition / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology