Dental abrasion as a cutting process.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Paleontology
• Tribology

Background:

• Tooth abrasion, caused by particle contact, leads to tissue loss and impairs food processing.
• Mammalian evolutionary adaptations highlight the significance of preventing tooth wear.
• Wear marks often result from a cutting action by abrasive particles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the wear resistance of mammalian tooth enamel by measuring its toughness.
• To investigate the relationship between enamel toughness, friction, and wear.
• To assess the impact of specific compounds on enamel wear potential.

Main Methods:

• Cutting tests were performed on enamel to simulate abrasive wear.
• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was used for high-resolution imaging of surface damage.
• Enamel toughness was quantified based on groove cutting with a Berkovich diamond indenter.

Main Results:

• Enamel exhibited a very high toughness in cutting, measured at 244 J m⁻².
• Observed damage included plastic deformation, fracture, and microcracking.
• Increased friction and wear potential were noted in the presence of a polyphenolic compound.

Conclusions:

• Mammalian enamel possesses exceptional toughness, contributing to its wear resistance.
• Cutting tests provide a reliable method for assessing material toughness and wear.
• Polyphenolic compounds may exacerbate tooth wear, warranting further investigation.