IN-VITRO INVESTIGATION INTO THE LONG TERM EFFECTS OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID ON ALL- CERAMIC RESTORATIVE MATERIALS

摘要

Dental erosion is defined as the loss of dental hard tissue via chemical etching or dissolution by acids of non-bacterial origin or chelation. This study concentrates on endogenous causes (i.e. gastric acid) of dental erosion seen in bulimic and gastric reflux patients. Gastric acid has an average pH between 1.5-3.5 and a concentration of approximately 0.1 moles/liter. The erosive patterns seen in patients with bulimia nervosa are similar to those of patients with a long standing history of gastro-intestinal disturbances. On average bulimics purge 3 times a day, lasting from 2-15 minutes per purge. The resulting erosion results in irreversible loss of enamel and dentine tissue. This loss can result in softening of the tooth structure and increases its susceptibility to fracture, caries and other complications.