What is the reason elderly patients maintain contact between their teeth despite attrition?

Elderly patients often exhibit wear and attrition of their teeth due to natural processes related to aging, which may include grinding or clenching. However, despite this wear, they can maintain contact between their teeth. The correct reason for this phenomenon lies in the physiological changes that occur in the jawbone and tooth structure.

Building bone around the fundus of the alveolar bone and the deposition of cementum is significant because as teeth undergo attrition, the body may compensate by remodeling the supporting structures. The alveolar bone can adapt to the functional needs of the teeth, including the level of wear they experience. Cementum is a calcified tissue that covers the roots of teeth and can thicken over time, aiding in the stability and retention of teeth within the alveolar bone. This remodeling process helps to maintain occlusal contact even as the serviceable surface of the teeth diminishes.

In contrast, the other options do not adequately address the biological processes that contribute to maintaining tooth contact. Increased interocclusal distance refers to a decrease in contact due to loss of vertical dimension, while the formation of dentine does not directly help in compensating for loss of tooth structure. Filling cavities with composite materials pertains to restorative dental procedures, which may