The influence of management of tooth wear on oral health-related quality of life

Bernadette A M M Sterenborg,Peter Wetselaar,Bas A C Loomans,Marie-Charlotte D N J M Huysmans,Ewald M Bronkhorst,Frank Lobbezoo

doi:10.1007/s00784-018-2355-8

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to identify the level of oral health-related quality of life and orofacial appearance in patients with moderate to severe tooth wear. Patients with and without a request for restorative treatment were included.MethodsOne hundred twenty-four patients (98 men, 26 women, mean age: 40.5 ± 8.8 years) with moderate to severe tooth wear were included. Patients without a request for help received a non-restorative treatment of counseling and monitoring. Patients with a request for restorative treatment were treated with a full rehabilitation using composite resin restorations. Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-NL) and Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES-NL) questionnaires were filled in at baseline and after 1 year.ResultsCounseling and monitoring group: baseline OHIP-NL score was 0.4 ± 0.3, baseline summary score of OES-NL was 48 ± 7.0, and baseline impression score was 7.1 ± 1.2. Scores had not changed significantly after 1 year (p = 1.00 after Bonferroni correction).Restoration group: baseline OHIP-NL score was 0.8 ± 0.6, baseline summary score of OES-NL was 38 ± 10, and baseline impression score was 5.9 ± 1.5. Scores had improved significantly after 1 year (p < 0.001 after Bonferroni correction).ConclusionsCounseling and monitoring did not result in a significant deterioration and restorative treatment resulted in a significant improvement of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and orofacial appearance in this patient group.Clinical significanceIn patients with moderate to severe tooth wear, without functional and esthetical problems, counseling and monitoring may be an appropriate treatment option. Restorative treatment in patients with a need for treatment results in an improved OHRQoL. OHIP and OES questionnaires may be used to monitor changes in clinically relevant symptoms.

Highlights

Tooth wear is a loss of dental hard tissues which is irreversible, multifactorial, non-carious, and may, in some situations, lead to a pathological situation with functional or esthetical problems [19]
None of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-NL questionnaires had to be discarded for missing answers so there was no need for data imputation
To understand the impact of the esthetics on orofacial appearance better, the Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES)-NL was included in addition on the OHIP-NL

Summary

Introduction

Tooth wear is a loss of dental hard tissues which is irreversible, multifactorial, non-carious, and may, in some situations, lead to a pathological situation with functional or esthetical problems [19]. Dental disease may influence an individual’s capacity to live comfortably, be successful in employment, enjoy life, experience relationships, and possess a positive self-image [39]. Even though dental disease is rarely life-threatening, it can still affect quality of life [23, 27]. Different levels of oral status have various impacts on daily living, and both the clinical status and psychological dimensions should be addressed whenever dental treatment needs are being assessed [9, 23]. Three approaches are used to measure oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL)

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Results

Conclusion