Evaluation of Non-Carious Cervical Lesions in Adults: A Pilot Study

Objective: To determine the clinical characteristics and prevalence of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCL) in adult patients. Method: Data were collected by clinical examination and questionnaire-based interviews. A total of 491 teeth from 23 patients were examined, resulting in a sample of 121 teeth with NCCL. The evaluation criteria included shape, horizontal and vertical dimensions, depth, cervical margin, classification, presence of dentinal hypersensitivity and occlusal factors. The data were subjected to statistical analysis by the non-parametric Fisher's exact test at a 5% significance level. Descriptive analysis was used for the data that characterized the sample at individual level (gender and NCCL etiologic factors) and tooth level (presence, type and shape of the lesion, and the most affected teeth and surfaces). Results: As much as 24.64% of the teeth presented some kind of cervical lesion, the mandibular premolars being the most affected (30.58%). Abfraction was the prevalent type of lesion (52.89%). The buccal surface was the most affected by NCCL (p=0.013). Shallow cavities were the most prevailing lesion type (p=0.001). Wear facets were largely found in teeth with NCCL (p=0.008). Severe dentinal hypersensitivity was mainly observed in abraded teeth (0.037). Conclusion: Among the types of NCCL, abfraction lesions were mostly found in female patients, in the buccal surface of premolars and had shallow depth.