Study of in vitro wear of human tooth enamel

Wear behavior of human tooth enamel against titanium alloy has been investigated under the lubrication of artificial saliva, using a reciprocating sliding wear test machine with a normal load of 20 N, a reciprocating amplitude of 500 mu m, and a frequency of 2 Hz. Tests lasting up to 10, 100, 1000, 2000, and 5000 cycles were conducted, respectively. The worn surface of enamel after different cycles was analyzed by means of various microscopic examinations. The results showed that, a delamination mechanism occurred on the surface of enamel at the early stage of wear. The wear rapidly increased in depth with the number of cycles. As the wear proceeded, the surface of enamel was gradually covered with a wear particle layer, and the wear rate decreased. Finally the wear of enamel stayed stable. Microscopic examinations indicated that the wear of enamel was controlled by the mechanical removal of materials without obvious changes in the compositions and crystal structures of the enamel. The enamel rods were worn away after the inter-rod enamel.