Characteristics of Non-Carious Cervical Lesions: a Clinical Perspective

Objectives: To evaluate the characteristics of Non-carious Cervical Lesions (NCCLs) in adult patients and assess the relationship with age, lesion depth, tooth sensitivity and sclerotic degree.
Methods: A clinical survey in which 78 patients that met the selection criteria were recruited, resulting in a total of 178 teeth with NCCLs that were evaluated. Clinical assessments of different characteristics of NCCLs were evaluated and recorded. The degree of sclerosis was assessed using Dentin Sclerosis Scale ranging from 1-4. Schiff Cold Air Sensitivity scale ranging from 0-3 was used as a standard index for evaluation of sensitivity. Data was collected and analyzed using a computer software programme, Statistical Product and Service Solution (IBM SPSS) Version 27. Pearson Correlation was used to investigate the relationship between age, sensitivity, lesion depth and sclerotic degree. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant at 95% CI.
Results: The age group that had highest number of NCCLs 48(61.5%) is 41-60 years. A total of 178 teeth with NCCLs were studied, most of the affected teeth were first premolar 74(41.6%) and abrasion constituted more than half of the NCCLs (69%). Majority of the teeth 68(38.2%) had a sensitivity score of 0 in which there was no response to air stimulus by the subjects and most of the NCCLs had sclerotic degree of category two 88(49.5%). There was a moderate positive correlation between the age and lesion depth(r=0.394, P=0.001) and a moderate positive correlation between the age and sclerotic degree (r=0.408, P=0.001). The correlation between sensitivity and lesion depth was moderate and positive(r= 0.330, P= 0.001).
Conclusions: NCCL is commonest in the middle age group. The first premolars had the highest prevalence of the NCCLs. There is positive correlation of the age of patient with lesion depth and sclerotic degree, and sensitivity with lesion depth.