Toothlessness
Complete tooth loss has significantly decreased in Sweden and is now rare. Causes are complex, involving diseases and socioeconomic factors. Treatments include dentures and implant-supported options. Regular follow-ups are necessary for long-term functionality.
Table of contents
This article is based on an original article in Swedish which can be found here
BACKGROUND
Just a couple of generations ago, edentulism was common, and it was considered almost normal to lose teeth with advancing age. However, in recent decades, the prevalence of complete edentulism has dramatically decreased in Sweden. While in 1973, 1 in 6 individuals (aged 40-70) was completely edentulous, the prevalence of complete edentulism in 2013 was only 0.3% in the same age group. According to a recently published study, there are significant differences in dental health among 15 examined European countries. In the age range of 65 to 74 years, the prevalence of complete edentulism averaged 14%, with a variation from 28% to 3%. Sweden shows the lowest prevalence (3%) as well as the highest number of remaining natural teeth among individuals over 50 years, meeting the WHO goal of having at least 20 remaining teeth in the population aged 80 years or older. The annual incidence of complete edentulism in Sweden is estimated to be 23 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Causes
It is generally assumed that complete edentulism is a result of teeth being extracted due to caries and periodontal diseases.
However, it is evident that tooth loss results from a complex interplay between oral diseases and a range of other patient- and care-related factors, such as:
- Economy
- Healthcare and insurance systems
- Access to and interest in dental care
- Education
- Cultural tradition
- Psychosocial conditions
- The dentist's professional perception
