Abstract

Relevance. Non-carious cervical lesions of teeth remain the second reason for contacting the dentist after tooth decay and its complications.

Aim. To determine predictors of the occurrence and progression of wedge-shaped defect (WSD) and erosion (E) of tooth enamel in young patients.

Materials and methods. 272 patients (mean age 24.3 ± 6.9 years) were examined, in which potential predictors were collected during the examination and questionnaire method. To analyse the strength of the association between the factors and the outcome, the odds ratio (OR) was used within a 95% confidence interval (CI). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors.

Results. Independent predictors of WSD were salivation rate less than 0.5 mL/min, hygiene habit of applying pressure to the toothbrush, age of 25 and older, the presence of gingival recession and tooth extraction. Latent predictors of WSD development were oral fluid pH (OF) values less than 6.9 C.U., behavioural factors, clinical markers. Potentially protective variables were variables with OR < 1: duration of brushing teeth for three minutes or more, consumption of yoghurt and bananas. Confounding was identified for the “fruit consumption” predictor. Independent predictors of the occurrence of enamel E were the presence of occlusal tooth wear and enamel cracks; modifier factors – OF pH values less than 6.9 C.U., and the habit of brushing teeth before breakfast. However, the broad CI determined for all predictors of the appearance of enamel E in univariate logistic regression analysis, and a small number of observations, indicate the prematurity of the results and the need for their confirmation. Most predictors of the progression of non-carious cervical lesions of teeth were latent and had broad CI in univariate logistic regression analysis, indicating evaluation instability and requiring further studies in larger samples.

Conclusions. The use of the logistic regression analysis method determined statistically independent and hidden predictors that are recommended to be considered in the diagnosis and preparation of a treatment plan for non-carious cervical lesions lesions of teeth in young patients.