[Time wears on everyone, but not equally quickly].

Abstract

In 30 patients (average age 38 ± 8 years, 77% male, 23% female) with intra-oral scans made at intake and after 3 years, tooth wear progression was measured. With the aid of GeoMagic to superimpose the scans, the maximum difference in height of 64 surfaces was measured per surface. A large variation was found in progression rates between patients, between various teeth in a single mouth, and between surfaces on a single tooth. Tooth wear progression rates are therefore highly individual and can even be very localized. Treatment must therefore be individualized, with an essential role for measuring tooth wear when deciding on the need for restorative treatment.