Bruxism Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bruxism, including details on grinding teeth, sleep, headaches, treatment.

The prevalence and severity of non-carious cervical lesions in a group of patients attending a university hospital in Trinidad.

Smith WA, Marchan S, Rafeek RN

School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Trinidad, West Indies. wsmith@fms.uwi.tt

Non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) are often encountered in clinical practice and their aetiology attributed to toothbrush abrasion, erosion and tooth flexure. This paper aims to determine the prevalence and severity of NCCLs in a sample of patients attending a university clinic in Trinidad and to investigate the relationship with medical and dental histories, oral hygiene practices, dietary habits and occlusion. Data were collected via a questionnaire and clinical examination. Odds ratios were used to determine the association of the presence of lesions and the factors examined. One hundred and fifty-six patients with a mean age of 40.6 years were examined of whom 62.2% had one or more NCCLs. Forty five per cent of the lesions were sensitive to compressed air. Younger age groups had a significantly lower correlation with the presence of NCCLs than older age groups. Other significant factors included patients who reported heartburn, gastric reflux, headaches, bruxism, sensitive teeth and swimming or had a history of broken restorations in the last year. There was also significant correlation of NCCLs in patients who brushed more than once a day or used a medium or hard toothbrush. Patients with vegetarian diets and those who reported consuming citrus fruits, soft drinks, alcohol, yoghurt and vitamin C drinks were associated with the presence of lesions. Significant associations were also found in patients with group function, faceting, clicking joints or those who wore occlusal splints.

Published 16 January 2008 in J Oral Rehabil, 35(2): 128-34.
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