Clinical and Epidemiological Features of Wedge-Shaped Defects of Hard Dental Tissues in Adult Patients of Different Age Groups

Wedge-shaped defects of hard dental tissues are among the most common non-carious lesions and represent a relevant clinical problem in modern dentistry. The high prevalence of this pathology, its pronounced age-related differences in clinical course, as well as the influence of oral hygiene status and periodontal tissues, determine the need for a comprehensive study of the factors involved in the development and progression of wedge-shaped defects. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and age-related differences in the course of wedge-shaped defects of hard dental tissues, as well as to assess the role of oral hygiene status and inflammatory periodontal changes in modifying the clinical course of this pathology. Materials and Methods. A clinical dental examination of 200 young and middle-aged patients was performed. The localization, depth, and stage of wedge-shaped defects, the severity of dentin hypersensitivity, and the clinical course of the pathological process were assessed, along with oral hygiene status using the OHI-S index and periodontal condition using the PMA index. Results. The study revealed a high prevalence of wedge-shaped defects of hard dental tissues, predominantly localized in the cervical area of premolars and on the vestibular surfaces of anterior teeth. In young patients, superficial lesions and the stabilization phase of the pathological process predominated, whereas middle-aged patients more frequently exhibited moderate and deep wedge-shaped defects, including cases complicated by secondary caries. A relationship was identified between poor oral hygiene, inflammatory periodontal changes, and a more severe clinical course of non-carious lesions. Conclusion. The obtained data confirm the age-related characteristics of the clinical course of wedge-shaped defects and the significant role of oral hygiene status and periodontal factors in the progression of non-carious lesions of hard dental tissues, substantiating the need for a comprehensive and differentiated approach to their diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.