LAUSR

AIM To investigate the prevalence of Non-carious Cervical Lesions (NCCLs) and the association with individual and tooth-related factors in adults from the 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS Participants were interviewed and clinically examined at the age 31. NCCL was defined as loss of dental tissue without bacterial involvement in the cervical region. Independent variables were socioeconomic, demographic, behavioural and clinical characteristics. Associations were tested using a multilevel Poisson regression model. RESULTS 539 participants were clinically examined, with a 26% prevalence of NCCLs, which were more prevalent in the maxilla (56.5%), and in premolars (72.9%). In the multilevel analysis, women presented lower prevalence than men [PR 0.59 (0.48-0.73)]; those who reported smoking at both 22 and 30 years of age had more NCCLs than those who never smoked [PR 1.65 (1.31-2.07)]; and high frequency brushers presented higher prevalence than low frequency brushers [PR 1.26 (1.03-1.55)]. Gingival recession increased 10 times the prevalence of NCCLs [PR 10.03 (8.15-12.35)], while presence of periodontal pockets (≥4mm) reduced the prevalence of NCCLs [PR 0.43 (0.28-0.66)]. CONCLUSIONS NCCLs were more prevalent in males, smokers, and those with higher frequency of toothbrushing. While the presence of periodontal pockets was associated with a lower prevalence of NCCLs, gingival recession was a strong clinical indicator for the presence of non-carious cervical lesions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.