Usefulness assessment indices of non-carious dental defects with consideration of aetiological factors and the quality criterion.

Much attention is being paid in the current literature to the necessity of raising awareness of the problem of tooth wear. The aim of this paper is to discuss advantages, disadvantages and modifications of currently used tooth wear indices with particular attention drawn to the advantages of their use both in everyday practice and epidemiological research, as well as an attempt to make the choice of a wear index easier and better adjusted for the needs of a single patient or a group of patients. The paper compares index assessment attempts available in the current literature in the context of validity of criteria choices and reliability results. The role of supporting methods is stressed as they facilitate both diagnosis and storing of data on tooth wear, as well as usefulness of indices which comprise therapeutic recommendations.