Predictive factors for tooth loss in older adults vary according to occlusal support: A 6-year longitudinal survey from the SONIC study

Hitomi Sato; Kodai Hatta; Yuki Murotani; Toshihito Takahashi; Yasuyuki Gondo; Kei Kamide; Yukie Masui; Tatsuro Ishizaki; Mai Kabayama; Soshiro Ogata; Ken-Ichi Matsuda; Yusuke Mihara; Motoyoshi Fukutake; Hiromasa Hagino; Kotaro Higashi; Suzuna Akema; Masahiro Kitamura; Shinya Murakami; Yoshinobu Maeda; Kazunori Ikebe

doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104088

Predictive factors for tooth loss in older adults vary according to occlusal support: A 6-year longitudinal survey from the SONIC study

J Dent. 2022 Jun:121:104088. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104088. Epub 2022 Mar 6.

Authors

Hitomi Sato¹, Kodai Hatta², Yuki Murotani¹, Toshihito Takahashi¹, Yasuyuki Gondo³, Kei Kamide⁴, Yukie Masui⁵, Tatsuro Ishizaki⁵, Mai Kabayama⁴, Soshiro Ogata⁶, Ken-Ichi Matsuda¹, Yusuke Mihara¹, Motoyoshi Fukutake¹, Hiromasa Hagino¹, Kotaro Higashi¹, Suzuna Akema¹, Masahiro Kitamura⁷, Shinya Murakami⁷, Yoshinobu Maeda¹, Kazunori Ikebe¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Prosthodontics, Gerodontology and Oral Rehabilitation, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
² Department of Prosthodontics, Gerodontology and Oral Rehabilitation, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. Electronic address: khatta@dent.osaka-u.ac.jp.
³ Department of Clinical Thanatology and Geriatric Behavioral Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Human Sciences, 1-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
⁴ Division of Health Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-7 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
⁵ Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan.
⁶ Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center 6-1 Kishibeshin-Machi, Suita, Osaka 564-8565, Japan.
⁷ Department of Periodontology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.

PMID: 35259445
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104088

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this cohort study among community-dwelling older adults aged over 70 years was to investigate the influence of occlusal support on tooth loss, and to determine predictive factors for tooth loss for each occlusal support category using multilevel analyses.

Methods: Participants were 812 older adults who completed the baseline survey and the follow-up survey 6 years later. The Eichner index was used to evaluate occlusal support status. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression analysis was used to examine the influence of occlusal support status on tooth loss while adjusting for various factors at individual and tooth levels. Similar analyses were separately performed in each Eichner class to determine predictive factors for tooth loss.

Results: The GEE showed that a decline in occlusal support increased the risk of tooth loss (Eichner A: reference category, Eichner B: odds ratio (OR) = 1.96, p < 0.001, Eichner C: OR = 3.04, p < 0.001). Stratified analysis showed that deeper periodontal pockets and abutment teeth for fixed partial dentures were significantly associated with tooth loss, regardless of occlusal support. In Eichner A, the presence of an opposing tooth was advantageous in protecting the tooth, and a missing adjacent tooth was not significantly associated with tooth loss. An opposing tooth was associated with the risk of tooth loss in Eichner B, and a missing adjacent tooth was significantly associated with tooth loss in Eichner B and C.

Conclusions: A decline in occlusal support accelerated tooth loss. Predictive factors for tooth loss varied depending on occlusal support status.

Clinical significance: Occlusal support is an important factor in preventing tooth loss. Dentition conditions such as missing adjacent teeth and the presence of opposing teeth increase the risk of tooth loss in participants with poor occlusal support. Dental personnel need to carefully examine dentition conditions to assess the risk of occlusal collapse.

Keywords: Occlusal support; Older adults; Predictive factors; Tooth loss.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Cohort Studies
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Odds Ratio
Tooth Loss* / epidemiology
Tooth Loss* / etiology
Tooth*