Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 1.6
Enamel surface hardness at different time intervals during the experiment. C4 min and
C8 min were 4- and 8-min immersion in a cola drink. R24 h and R48 h were 24- and 48-h remin-
eralization [
53
]
was significantly reduced after immersion in a cola drink, which represented the
early stage of erosion. Hardness improved after four applications of a paste contain-
ing casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate, with a continuous
replenishment of saliva-like solution (Fig.
1.6
).
1.5.2
Dental Caries
Dental caries, a kind of oral disease with a high prevalence worldwide, is a dynamic
dietomicrobial disease involving cycles of demineralization and remineralization.
The disease is usually divided into three types: superficial caries, middle caries, and
deep caries. Superficial caries can be treated with various methods to prevent further
damage, while the latter two require the filling of artificial material.
The early stages of dental caries are reversible by modifying or eliminating
etiologic factors such as plaque biofilm and diet, and increasing protective factors
such as fluoride exposure and salivary flow. The effectiveness of dietary measures to
prevent caries is limited, as today's diets are complex and include various composi-
tions leading to caries, such as carbohydrates and acids. It is known that reducing
