Tribocorrosion of Different Sealants in Sliding Contact with Human Teeth

Objective: The oral environment is very complex and has many variables, which may, in some circumstances, lead to the degradation of the materials and/or teeth, especially due to the attrition of human teeth with the dental material. The attrition of teeth is a natural and unavoidable process, and understanding of the friction and wear behavior of human teeth would help the clinical treatment and is essential for the development of new dental restorative materials. 

Method: In this research, the tribocorrosion of sealants and glass–ionomer presently used in the dental practice as preventive material is studied. Tests were conducted in Fusayama modified artificial saliva solution. Tribocorrosion tests were conducted in the reciprocating sliding configuration in contact with natural teeth. Normal load was varied between 3 and 10 N. The surface mechanical, structural and chemical properties of the tested materials, teeth and surfaces were evaluated by nano-indentation, XRD and SEM/EDS. 

Result: Group 1 – sealants+3N: 1.31 (±0.81); Group 2 – sealant+10N: 0.73(±0.25); Group 3 – glass-ionomer+3N: 0.96(±0.16); Group 4 – glass-ionomer+10N: 0.59(±0.09).

Conclusion: In particular it was observed that the wear mechanisms depending on the applied load and the material used. Finally, in some conditions, the surface mechanical properties of the natural teeth were altered due to the transferance of material from the counterface.