Sreenivas Koka1, Avni Gupta2. 1. Clinical Professor, Advanced Prosthodontics, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, USA; Interim Chair, Restorative Dentistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, USA; Private Practice Limited to Removable and Implant Prosthodontics, Koka Dental Clinic, San Diego, USA. 2. Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Harvard T.N. Chan School of Public Health, One Brigham Circle, 1620 Tremont Street 4-020, Boston, MA 02120, USA. Electronic address: avnigup07jan@gmail.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this review was to analyze existing literature on the relationship between tooth count and mortality by evaluating the findings in the context of methodological variations. We aimed at addressing the question of whether preserving natural teeth can impact mortality. STUDY SELECTION: PubMed, Web of Science and CINAHL databases were systematically searched using various combinations of related and synonymous keywords for "tooth count" and "mortality". The references of included articles were also evaluated for inclusion. Overall 49 studies found to be eligible were critically evaluated and their key findings were summarized. RESULTS: Studies were conducted in various continents and differed substantially in regards to their sample size, population, methodology, the definition of the tooth count variable, the confounders as well as the mediators accounted for in the analysis. Follow-up period ranged from 1 to 56 years. CONCLUSIONS: Although high variability in the studies precludes a definite conclusion about the relationship between number of teeth and mortality, the overall finding from this review is that reduced tooth count is associated with higher mortality. However the impact of factors such as smoking, health-care access, baseline co-morbidity and risk profile, dental and periodontal health, the presence of dental prosthesis as well as socio-economic status, in mediating whole or part of the association cannot be overlooked and needs further investigation using more standard methodologies. Any differences in males vs. females, as well as among different age groups, will also need further consideration in the future studies.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this review was to analyze existing literature on the relationship between tooth count and mortality by evaluating the findings in the context of methodological variations. We aimed at addressing the question of whether preserving natural teeth can impact mortality. STUDY SELECTION: PubMed, Web of Science and CINAHL databases were systematically searched using various combinations of related and synonymous keywords for "tooth count" and "mortality". The references of included articles were also evaluated for inclusion. Overall 49 studies found to be eligible were critically evaluated and their key findings were summarized. RESULTS: Studies were conducted in various continents and differed substantially in regards to their sample size, population, methodology, the definition of the tooth count variable, the confounders as well as the mediators accounted for in the analysis. Follow-up period ranged from 1 to 56 years. CONCLUSIONS: Although high variability in the studies precludes a definite conclusion about the relationship between number of teeth and mortality, the overall finding from this review is that reduced tooth count is associated with higher mortality. However the impact of factors such as smoking, health-care access, baseline co-morbidity and risk profile, dental and periodontal health, the presence of dental prosthesis as well as socio-economic status, in mediating whole or part of the association cannot be overlooked and needs further investigation using more standard methodologies. Any differences in males vs. females, as well as among different age groups, will also need further consideration in the future studies.
Authors: Vittorio Dibello; Frank Lobbezoo; Madia Lozupone; Rodolfo Sardone; Andrea Ballini; Giuseppe Berardino; Anita Mollica; Hélio José Coelho-Júnior; Giovanni De Pergola; Roberta Stallone; Antonio Dibello; Antonio Daniele; Massimo Petruzzi; Filippo Santarcangelo; Vincenzo Solfrizzi; Daniele Manfredini; Francesco Panza Journal: Geroscience Date: 2022-10-15 Impact factor: 7.581
Authors: Jie Liu; Xiaoyu Zong; Emily Vogtmann; Chao Cao; Aimee S James; Andrew T Chan; Eric B Rimm; Richard B Hayes; Graham A Colditz; Dominique S Michaud; Kaumudi J Joshipura; Christian C Abnet; Yin Cao Journal: Int J Epidemiol Date: 2022-08-10 Impact factor: 9.685
Authors: Eftychia Kotronia; Heather Brown; A Olia Papacosta; Lucy T Lennon; Robert J Weyant; Peter H Whincup; S Goya Wannamethee; Sheena E Ramsay Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2021-08-12 Impact factor: 4.996