Abstract
The present study was conducted in order to identify risk-factors for tooth loss among patients in a long-term maintenance program at dental clinics, as well as factors specifically related to the elderly. Subjects were selected from patients who had been in a maintenance program more than 15 years and who made their last dental visit between July and October 2004. The patients attended one of two private dental clinics where one of the authors has been working in Osaka. Annual tooth loss for each subject was calculated from the difference of tooth loss between the first visit and the last visit.
The average length of maintenance, between the base line and the last visit, was 27.5 years for those younger than 39 years, and 25.8 years for those older than 40 years at the base line. The annual average tooth loss was 0.040 for the younger group and 0.115 for the older group, not including wisdom teeth. Multiple regression analysis showed that individuals aged 40 and older with more non-vital teeth and more teeth with periodontal pocket depth at the first visit, as well as retaining a smoking habit and suffering diabetes mellitus during the maintenance period had a higher rate of annual tooth loss, whereas individuals with fewer teeth and more teeth with periodontal pockets showed co-relation with higher rate of annual tooth loss for the younger age group.
The results suggested that not only periodontal disease but also pulpectomy, as well as smoking and diabetes mellitus, could be the risk-factors of tooth loss in the later years even if a long-term maintenance program could be provided after 40 years of age.
