Age-related odontometric changes of human teeth.

OBJECTIVE

The number of older patients requiring restorative treatment are likely to increase due to improvements in oral health and increased longevity. However, aging odontometric data are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine possible changes in pulp cell density, pulp area, and dentinal thickness with age.

STUDY

DESIGN

Incisors (50), canines (39), premolars (51), and molars (7) extracted from 60 patients aged between 10 and 59 years, were analyzed histomorphometrically for cell density (odontoblasts, subodontoblasts, and pulp core fibroblasts) and dentinal thickness.

RESULTS

With increasing patient age, in both crown and root aspects of teeth, dentinal thickness increased (P <.001), while the density of odontoblasts (P <.001), subodontoblasts (P = 0.001), and pulp fibroblasts (crown, P <.011; root, P =.0015) decreased. The degree of age-related changes in teeth appeared to be asymmetrical, with decreases in the root being greater than in the crown. At all ages pulp cell densities, including odontoblasts, within the crown were greater than in the root (P <.001), even though the calculated rate of dentinal deposition was greatest in the root.

CONCLUSION

Decreases in pulp cell density may reduce pulp repair activity after restorative treatments, although increases in dentinal thickness may aid pulp protection. An understanding of these age-related changes will influence the provision of restorative and endodontic care and benefit older patients.