Prevalence of single crowns and fixed partial dentures in elderly citizens in the southern and northern parts of Finland

Summary  The epidemiology of oral rehabilitation using fixed prosthodontics has received little attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of single crowns, fixed partial dentures (FPDs), resin-bonded FPDs and implants in elderly Finnish patients and to identify factors that might be associated with the findings. The survey was carried out in the southern and northern parts of Finland. The target population consisted of all persons born in 1919, 1922, 1925, 1928, 1931, 1934 and 1937, who lived in Kirkkonummi and in Lakeus (n = 1733) in 1996. The age range of the subjects was 60–78 years. In addition to a clinical examination, panoramic radiograph was taken. Data on background factors were obtained using questionnaires and/or interviews. The presence of single crowns, FPDs, resin-bonded FPDs and implants were determined from the panoramic radiographs. Overall, 12·4% of men and 12·1% of women had single crowns, while 4·8% of men and 8·0% of women had FPDs. A logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of crowns and FPDs was significantly associated with a southern place of residence, high and middle levels of education and high frequency of dental visits.