An in vitro investigation of human enamel wear by restorative dental materials

A radiometric method was applied to assess enamel wear by another enamel an d by restorative materials. The radioactive enamel was submitted to wear in a machine which allows sliding motion of an antagonistic surface in contac t with the radioactive enamel. The enamel wear was evaluated by measuring t he beta-activity of P-32 transferred to water from this irradiated tooth. R esults obtained indicated that dental porcelains cause pronounced enamel we ar when compared with that provoked by another natural enamel or by resin m aterials. Resin materials caused less enamel wear than another natural enam el. Vickers microhardness data obtained for antagonistic materials showed a correlation with the wear caused to the enamel.