Erosive Tooth Wear - Prevalence, Risk factors, Monitorization and Clinical Guidelines

Erosive tooth wear (ETW) is a common condition in modern societies, with lesions frequently found in patients regardless of age. The prevalence of this condition is increasing, especially in children and adolescents in Northern Europe, but only data on the prevalence of this condition in risk groups are available for the Portuguese population.

Without preventive measures, this condition can lead to dentinal hypersensitivity, loss of the vertical dimension of the occlusion, and esthetic and functional problems, resulting in extensive and costly rehabilitation.

The restorative management of severe tooth wear lacks a robust body of high-level clinical evidence. The principles and options for restorative treatment, the need to increase the vertical dimension of occlusion in patients, and the different techniques and materials play an important role in rehabilitation.

Therefore, clinical guidelines for prevention and rehabilitation are mandatory.

With this in mind, we aim to evaluate and select early clinical diagnostic tools for ETW to be used in prevalence studies and follow-up of patients suffering from this condition. Simultaneously, the evaluation of risk factors involved in the development of ETW will be investigated and a risk prediction model will be constructed in order to develop clinical guidelines for the treatment/rehabilitation of ETW in patients.