A 12-year cross-sectional and longitudinal radiographic study of dental restorations in women in Gothenburg, Sweden.

A dental examination was included in a mainly medically oriented population study of women in Gothenburg, Sweden. From panoramic radiographs the numbers of remaining teeth, restored teeth (fillings and crowns), pontics, and endodontically treated teeth were assessed in 1968-69 and in a 12-yr follow-up study in 1980-81. Women aged 38, 46, 50, 54 and 60 yr were initially studied. In the follow-up study, a group of 38-yr-old women was added. A comparison between cross-sectional data in 1968-69 and in 1980-81 in women aged 38 and 50 yr showed some marked differences. Dentulous women of the same age had in 1980-81 a larger mean number of teeth and a larger number of restored teeth (including crowns). The number of restored teeth in relation to remaining teeth was the same in the 38-yr-old women in 1980-81 but had increased in the 50-yr-olds. The absolute and relative numbers (in relation to remaining teeth) of crowns (also studied separately), pontics, and endodontically treated teeth were about the same in 1968-69 and 1980-81 both for the 38-yr-olds and the 50-yr-olds. There was a slight but statistically significant increase only in the absolute number of crowns for the 50-yr-olds. The follow-up study showed a moderate decrease of remaining teeth in all age groups. Related to remaining teeth, the number of restored teeth (including crowns), crowns, pontics, and endodontically treated teeth showed a statistically significant increase for all age groups except for the oldest, in which group a significant increase was only observed for crowns.