Studies on dental erosion: An in vitro model of root surface erosion

Most research on dental erosion has focused on erosion in enamel. However, the increasing retention of teeth into old age has increased the potential for root surface erosion. The nature and kinetics of root surface erosion h ave not yet been adequately explored. The objective of this project was to develop an in vitro model of root surf ace erosion in order to investigate the polarised light microscopy of contr olled erosion and the histology and rate of demineralisation of this proces s in root cementum/dentine. The results demonstrate a process quite different in outcome from that in e namel erosion. Erosion results in loss of volume of enamel. However, it lea ves a root surface softened though with little volume loss so long as the d emineralised collagen remains hydrated. The polarised light histology was s imilar to that seen in root surface caries. The rate of erosive demineralis ation of tooth roots by selected acids was investigated, with differing rat es of demineralisation similar to that seen in enamel erosion observed. The process of erosion showed evidence of significant diffusion control.