Intraoral scanner-based monitoring of tooth wear in young adults: 12-month results

OBJECTIVES: To investigate tooth wear in young adults, intraoral scanning was used for digital monitoring of the mandibular first molar over 12 months. A possible influence of aetiological factors obtained by a questionnaire on tooth wear was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 109 participants (mean age at the start of the study: 21.0 ± 2.2 years) were included in this clinical study. At baseline (T0), an intraoral scan (Trios 3, 3Shape) of the study tooth (FDI # 36 or #46) was conducted. After a mean observation period of 373 ± 19 days, a second intraoral scan (T1, n = 94) of the same tooth as at T0 was performed and standard tessellation language datasets were superimposed with 3D analysis software (GOM Inspect). The occlusal surface of the study tooth was divided into 7 areas (5 cusps, 2 ridges) and maximum vertical substance loss was measured between T0 and T1 (n = 91). Three types of tooth wear were defined: cupping (C), facet (F) and combined cupping-facet (CF). Furthermore, a questionnaire on aetiological factors, such as dietary behaviour, was filled out at T0. Data were analysed with non-parametric tests (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Only one study tooth exhibited no tooth wear at T0, whereas 3 teeth showed C, 47 teeth F and 40 teeth CF. A progression of vertical substance loss for all three types was shown. Most affected were the mesiobuccal cusps (43, 38/47 µm; median, 95%CI) followed by distobuccal (36, 33/39 µm), mesiolingual (35, 26/40 µm), distolingual (34, 27/36 µm) and distal (31, 25/34 µm). On mesial and distal ridges, only F was detected with the lowest vertical substance loss of all areas (mesial ridge: 0, 0/0 µm; distal ridge: 0, 0/0 µm). An association between aetiological factors and loss values could not be shown. CONCLUSIONS: All study teeth showed clear signs of wear, and after only 1 year, further substance loss was detectable. This result is of significance for young adults. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Since data of young adults regarding tooth wear are scarce, the results give a first idea of the amount of vertical loss per year and its relation to aetiological factors such as dietary behaviour. Therefore, further studies over a longer observation period are highly recommended. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00784-021-04162-6.