Background: Methamphetamine (MAP) abuse is a significant worldwide problem.
This prospective study was conducted to determine if MAP users had distinc
t patterns of tooth wear.
Methods: Methamphetamine users were identified and interviewed about their
duration and preferred route of MAP use. Study participants were interviewe
d in the emergency department of a large urban university hospital serving
a geographic area with a high rate of illicit MAP production and consumptio
n. Tooth wear was documented for each study participant and scored using a
previously validated index and demographic information was obtained using a
questionnaire.
Results: Forty-three MAP patients were interviewed. Preferred route of admi
nistration was injection (37%) followed by snorting (33%). Patients who pre
ferentially snorted MAP had significantly higher tooth wear in the anterior
maxillary teeth than patients who injected, smoked, or ingested MAP (P = 0
.005).
Conclusion: Patients who use MAP have distinct patterns of wear based on ro
ute of administration. This difference may be explained anatomically.