Objective: Describe the patterns of missing teeth by tooth site in a cohort of men 65 years and older.
Methods: Study participants were recruited from men enrolled in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study (MrOS). MrOS is a longitudinal study of risk factors for fractures in older men. Information related to the current oral/dental status of 1,347 healthy, community-dwelling, ambulatory men aged 65 years and older was captured. Patterns of tooth loss were determined in terms of the total percentage of teeth lost by tooth site. The influence of age, education level and smoking status was evaluated.
Results: 1,347 men agreed to participate. 137 (10%) were edentulous and 1,210 (90%) were dentate. 73% of the dentate men had lost at least one tooth and the pattern of tooth loss was as follows:
| Tooth Loss | Maxillary | Mandibular | Both |
| 73.39% (888) | % (n) | % (n) | % (n) |
| Molar 2 | 33.06 (400) | 34.30 (415) | 20.66 (250) |
| Molar 1 | 30.41 (368) | 36.78 (445) | 17.02 (206) |
| Bicuspid 2 | 26.36 (319) | 18.43 (223) | 10.66 (129) |
| Bicuspid 1 | 21.32 (258) | 8.93 (108) | 4.38 ( 53) |
| Cuspid | 11.98 (145) | 2.64 ( 32) | 1.07 ( 13) |
| Lateral Incisor | 18.18 (220) | 6.61 ( 80) | 2.98 ( 36) |
| Central Incisor | 13.88 (168) | 8.60 (104) | 3.06 ( 37) |
Logistic regression models adjusting for age and education level revealed smoking was associated with an increase in risk for tooth loss at all sites (p<.05). Adjusting for age and smoking status, education level was associated with reduced tooth loss for all teeth (p<.05) except mandibular 1st bicuspids, cuspids, and lateral incisors.
Conclusions: In older men, tooth loss occurs frequently in posterior teeth. Mandibular cuspids and incisors were most likely to be retained. Smoking and education status significantly influenced tooth retention whereas advancing age had a minimal effect.
Supported by NIDCR RO1-DE14386