METHODS OF ASSESSING EROSION AND EROSIVE POTENTIAL

Methods for use in vitro are reviewed first, classified under the exam ination of extracted teeth, chemical and physical methods, digital ima ge analysis, scanning electron microscopy and other potentially useful techniques. Methods for recording erosion in laboratory animals are d ealt with next, including techniques that can also be used in vitro, R estarski's system and various modifications of it, and digital image a nalysis, Thirdly the main systems and indices that have been designed for clinical use are arranged under case histories and clinical examin ation, scales of severity and indices of diagnosis of varying complexi ty. Finally, some of the main advantages and limitations of the techni ques are summarized.