Finite element modelling and experimental validation of enamel demineralisation at the rod level

DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2020.08.018

Authors: Enrico Salvati (MBLEM, University of Oxford; University of Udine) , Cyril Besnard (MBLEM, University of Oxford) , Robert A. Harper (University of Birmingham) , Thomas Moxham (MBLEM, University of Oxford; Diamond Light Source) , Richard M. Shelton (University of Birmingham) , Gabriel Landini (University of Birmingham) , Alexander M. Korsunsky (MBLEM, University of Oxford)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Journal Of Advanced Research

State: Published (Approved)
Published: September 2020

Abstract: In the past years, a significant amount of effort has been directed at the observation and characterisation of caries using experimental techniques. Nevertheless, relatively little progress has been made in numerical modelling of the underlying demineralisation process. The present study is the first attempt to provide a simplified calculation framework for simulating the demineralisation process at the length scale of enamel rods and its validation by comparing the data with statistical analysis of synchrotron X-ray CT results. The local orientation of the hydroxyapatite crystals is accounted to solve a time-dependent reaction-diffusion equation, in which H ions diffuse and demineralise the enamel. insights into the pH level of the etchant solution and origin of different etching morphology were obtained by simulating these processes through the newly developed model. The implications of this study itself pave the way for simulations of enamel demineralisation within different complex scenarios and higher length scales. Indeed, the framework proposed can incorporate the presence of chemical species other than H ions and their diffusion and reaction leading to dissolution and re-precipitation of hydroxyapatite. It is the authors’ hope and aspiration that ultimately this work will help identify new ways of controlling and preventing caries.

Subject Areas: Biology and Bio-materials, Chemistry


Instruments: I13-2-Diamond Manchester Imaging

Added On: 09/09/2020 09:48

Documents:
1-s2.0-S2090123220302046-main.pdf

Discipline Tags:

Dentistry Health & Wellbeing Chemistry Life Sciences & Biotech

Technical Tags:

Imaging Tomography