Influence of patient age on the nature of tooth fracture

Statement of problem. There is much controversy in the literature relating the incidence of tooth fracture to patient age. The nature (complete or inc omplete) of fracture is one aspect that is frequently reported; however, th e results highlight relative differences with respect to age and the inadeq uacy of the statistic used for analysis. Purpose. This study: (1) reviewed the existing literature on the relationsh ip of patient age and nature of tooth fracture, (2) investigated the nature of tooth fractures among attendees of an emergency clinic, and (3) assesse d any relationship between nature of fracture and patient age. Material and method. From the existing literature, 6 studies were suitable for combined analysis. The study was conducted among subjects attending the Student Emergency Dental Service in the University Dental Hospital of Manc hester over a 2-year period, 1995-97. Each study subject had a fractured to oth and was examined by 1 of the authors and data were recorded. Results. Combined analysis shelved that the age of patients with incomplete fractures was higher than those with complete fractures (P<.05). A total o f 229 patients exhibited complete (n = 263) or incomplete (n = 8) fractures of 271 teeth. Age range of 18 to 47 years demonstrated a skewed distributi on with a median of 21 years. There was a statistically significant differe nce in age distribution between the 2 natures of tooth fracture (P<.05) wit h incomplete fractures associated with older ages. Conclusion. Incomplete tooth. fractures are uncommon in students attending an emergency clinic. Complete fractures may occur at any age, while it appe ars that incomplete fractures are associated with older age groups.