Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 5, 2025

Mimicking and Measuring Occlusal Erosive Tooth Wear with the "Rub&Roll" and Non-contact Profilometry
Published on: February 2, 2018
Initiation of Caries or Erosive Tooth Wear Lesions from the Host Standpoint
Abstract:
Dental caries is initiated by an unbalance between periods of demineralization and remineralization, and the consequence is localized loss of minerals right under the enamel surface of certain teeth that, if left to progress, may lead to irreversible loss of structure. One approach proposed to overcome the limitation of simply counting the number of teeth or surfaces affected by caries was to characterize the initial loss of minerals from the dental enamel in the laboratory as a way to phenotype individuals for genetic studies of dental caries or erosive tooth wear. This chapter discusses the results of these original studies.
Related Concept Videos
Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or...
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction
Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin...
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology
Infection
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...

