Assessment of tooth wear with intraoral scanned models in young adults

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of tooth wear (TW) and identify associated risk factors among undergraduate students using intraoral scanning (IOS) technology. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 504 first- to third-year undergraduate students from various medical and health-related disciplines, selected by multistage stratified random sampling at Kunming Medical University. Participants underwent digital dental scans (TRIOS 5, 3Shape) and completed a validated questionnaire covering demographics, dietary habits, and medical history. Tooth wear was assessed by calibrated examiners (kappa > 0.79) using the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) index on digital models. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and multiple linear regression (SPSS 27.0), with significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The study included students with a mean age of 20.58 (± 2.07) years. The overall TW prevalence (BEWE ≥ 2) was 68.1%. In terms of severity, the majority of participants were classified as low risk (BEWE total scores 3–8: 82.9%). Severe wear (BEWE = 3) was most frequently observed in mandibular incisors (2.18–2.58%). Males exhibited significantly higher BEWE scores than females (p = 0.035). Factors statistically significantly associated with higher BEWE total scores included: frequent carbonated drink consumption (b = 1.044, 95% CI: 0.665–1.423), acidic fruit intake (b = 1.520, 95% CI: 1.031–2.008), bruxism (b = 0.973, 95% CI: 0.324–1.622), and gastroesophageal reflux (b = 0.741, 95% CI: 0.132–1.350). Conversely, coffee consumption (b = -0.568, 95% CI: -0.991– -0.145) and gum chewing (b = − 0.396, 95% CI: -0.730– -0.063) were statistically significantly associated with lower wear scores. CONCLUSION: Tooth wear is highly prevalent among undergraduates, with acidic diets, intrinsic factors (such as GERD), and parafunctional habits being significant factors associated with the condition. IOS technology facilitates detailed TW assessment for the early detection of wear patterns, supporting targeted preventive strategies in young populations. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: High tooth wear prevalence in young adults underscores the urgency of routine screening. Identifying associations with acidic diet and bruxism supports personalized prevention. Furthermore, intraoral scanning serves as a sensitive tool for early monitoring, enabling timely intervention to limit progression.