Dentin erosion simulation by cantilever beam fatigue and pH change

J Dent Res. 2005 Apr;84(4):371-5. doi: 10.1177/154405910508400415.

Abstract

Exposed root surfaces frequently exhibit non-carious notches representing material loss by abrasion, erosion, and/or abfraction. Although a contribution from mechanical stress is often mentioned, no definitive proof exists of a cause-effect relationship. To address this, we examined dimensional changes in dentin subjected to cyclic fatigue in two different pH environments. Human dentin cantilever-beams were fatigued under load control in pH = 6 (n = 13) or pH = 7 (n = 13) buffer, with a load ratio (R = minimum load/maximum load) of 0.1 and frequency of 2 Hz, and stresses between 5.5 and 55 MPa. Material loss was measured at high- and low-stress locations before and after cycling. Of the 23 beams, 7 withstood 1,000,000 cycles; others cracked earlier. Mean material loss in high-stress areas was greater than in low-stress areas, and losses were greater at pH = 6 than at pH = 7, suggesting that mechanical stress and lower pH both accelerate erosion of dentin surfaces.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Dental Stress Analysis / methods*
  • Dentin / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Models, Biological
  • Molar / pathology
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Tooth Cervix / physiology
  • Tooth Erosion*