Prevalence of single-tooth gaps in a population-based study and the potential for dental implants--data from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-0).
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to show the prevalence of single-tooth gaps in a population-based study.


METHODS
The data of 3989 subjects (20-74 years of age) were taken from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-0) and classified by age, gender, and level of education. A single-tooth gap was defined as a gap of one tooth missing bordered by one or more natural teeth on either side.


RESULTS
The tooth missing most in all age groups was the first molar. There were more single-tooth gaps in the maxilla than in the mandible. The lowest single-tooth gaps were found in the mandibular anterior region (<1.1%). There were no significant differences in gender (p > 0.05). The highest frequency of single-tooth gaps among all groups was found in subjects with a medium level of education and the lowest frequency was found in subjects with a high level of education. One single-tooth gap was found in 25%, whereas 16% of all subjects had 2 single-tooth gaps. The prevalence of having 1 single-tooth gap was between 3.8% and 13.1% whereas it was less than 0.5% for subjects with 5 and more single-tooth gaps.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a high potential for dental implants to fill single tooth gaps.
Mack
Florian
F
Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Gerodontology and Biomaterials, Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald, Germany. mack@uni-greifswald.de
Samietz
Stefanie A
SA
Mundt
Torsten
T
Proff
Peter
P
Gedrange
Tomas
T
Kocher
Thomas
T
Biffar
Reiner
R
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D015921:Dental Implants; D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth; D004522:Educational Status; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008437:Maxilla; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution
D015921:Dental Implants