Host Response to Adhesive Restorative Dental Treatment

When dental caries or erosive tooth wear lesions progress into dentin, the speed of their progression into the pulp will be modulated in part by the physiology of the dentin-pulp complex. In some individuals, this physiology allows for a quicker progression of the lesions. Research on the longevity of dental restorations has focused almost solely on the technical aspects needed to improve the adhesive properties and longevity of the restorations. Studying the possible individual variations in the quality of dental tissue may enable further developments targeting specific dental tissue phenotypes. This chapter discusses the results of the initial studies exploring phenotypes that consider manifestations of deep caries or erosive lesions in dentin.