Australian Dental Council (ADC) Practice Test

In elderly patients, teeth can maintain contact despite attrition primarily due to the processes involving the alveolar bone and cementum. As people age and experience tooth wear, the body often compensates by building bone around the fundus of the alveolar bone and depositing additional cementum on tooth roots. This physiological response helps to preserve the relationship between opposing teeth and allows for continued occlusal contact even as the surfaces undergo wear.

The increased deposition of cementum can also result in longer tooth structures being retained within the socket, contributing to stability. Furthermore, changes in the alveolar bone can assist in maintaining the position and orientation of the teeth, thus minimizing gaps that may arise from wear and tear. This biological response is essential for maintaining functional occlusion in older patients, ensuring that chewing and masticatory efficiency is not significantly compromised.

The other options do not directly address the mechanisms that help maintain tooth contact as effectively as the process described. Increased interocclusal distance, for example, typically refers to a separation caused by attrition rather than a compensatory mechanism. Formation of dentine happens naturally over time but does not play a direct role in maintaining contact as roots are more involved. Decreased tooth sensitivity is not a factor contributing to the retention of