Relationship between presence of abfractions and premature contacts

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT Abfractions (AFs) are non-carious cervical lesions considered of multifactorial etiology by several authors. Objective: Relate the presence of premature contacts and AFs. Materials & Methods: The original number of students to be analyzed were 117, 36 of whom (equal amount of women and men) were finally chosen for presenting premature contacts. 19 of them presented abfractions. A survey was conducted with questions on issues like toothbrushing habits, diet and some gastric disorders; besides the participants had to take the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Then, stone models were obtained and mounted for further occlusal analysis with WCM ® semi-adjustable articulator searching the abfractions and their coincidence with premature contacts. Fisher's exact test (p<0,05) was used to associate AF with toothbrushing habits, diet, burning symptoms and gastroesophageal reflux. Chi-square test (p<0,05) was used to associate AFs and premature contacts. Student's t-distribution was used to associate AFs with anxiety. Results: There was a significant relationship between AFs presence and premature contacts (p=0,00). There was not a significant relationship between presence of AFs and toothbrushing habits and diet. There was not a significant relationship between presence of AFs and anxiety. Conclusions: AF presence do associate with premature contacts in the same affected tooth.