A model for the production of artificial caries in the mouth in man

Sixteen blocks of enamel were sliced from the buccal surfaces of caries-free human premolars and mounted in an appliance worn in the mouth by one individual for 6 months. Eight of the blocks were arranged in pairs with buccal surfaces in contact. The other eight were not in contact but were able to accumulate plaque by being recessed in the appliance. Lesions formed in all specimens, the depths of which were measured in ground sections; around contact surfaces, these formed at only half the rate of those not in contact. Histologically, lesions on contact surfaces were similar to natural lesions, but the shape of the artificially-induced lesions was greatly influenced by the curvature of the buccal enamel.