Dentin erosion simulation by cantilever beam fatigue and pH change

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.