Occlusal problems, mental health issues and non-carious cervical lesions

Non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) are characterized by a loss of hard dental tissue near the cement–enamel junction with multifactorial etiology. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that occlusal factors as attrition, malocclusion, and bruxism, and mental disorders as depression, stress, and anxiety are involved in the etiology of NCCLs. Salivary samples and clinical data of 340 individuals selected from 6,112 participants were obtained from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine Dental Registry and DNA Repository project. The affected group was formed by individuals with NCCL (34 females, 34 males, mean age 55.34 years). In addition, the comparison group was formed by individuals without NCCL (136 females, 136 males, mean age 55.14 years). Eleven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously associated with mental disorders were genotyped and tested for association with NCCLs. When all occlusal factors were combined there was found a significant association with NCCL (p = 0.000001/adjusted OR 4.38, 95% CI 2.50–7.69). Attrition (OR 3.56, 95% CI 2.00–6.32) and malocclusion (OR 5.09, 95% CI 1.65–15.68) as separate variables showed statistically significant associations with NCCL. There was a significant difference in stress history between the two groups (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.08–4.39). No associations between NCCLs and the SNPs selected were found. However, when the occlusal factors were analyzed as covariates, associations were found between bruxism and seven of the selected SNPs. Our results suggest that occlusal factors might be associated with NCCLs.