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Österberg T, Carlsson GE. J Oral Rehabil 2007; 34: 553–559

In most industrialised countries dental conditions have improved over the last few decades. This study examined data from cohorts of 70-year-old Swedish subjects born in 1901-2 (1), 1906-7 (2), 1911-12 (3), 1922 (4) and 1930 (5). Data were thus collected from 1971-2001.

Mean number of teeth in dentate subjects increased from 14 in the earliest cohort to 21 in the latest. The % of subjects with RPDs increased from cohort 1 to cohort 2 and then declined considerably to cohort 5. Implants were recorded only in cohort 5, and 3.3% had 4+ implants, while 1.5% had 1-3. Prevalence of bridges increased from 26% to 58% over the 5 cohorts, and bridges of 5+ pontics were commoner in cohorts 3 and 4. However, the % of subjects with self-assessed good chewing ability varied moderately through the 5 cohorts: 70, 88, 81, 79, and 80.