title: Tooth wear measurements using a reflex microscope.
abstract: The resistance to wear of composite resins is an important feature of their suitability for use as posterior restorative materials. The in vivo clinical evaluation of new materials requires an accurate and reliable method of assessing tooth wear. The purpose of this study was too investigate the possibility of using a new stereometric measuring instrument for this purpose. Tooth wear was experimentally produced on a lead cast. The volume and average depth lost was measured using a reflex microscope. A gravimetric method of wear measurement was used as a control. When the results of both methods were compared it was found that the mean difference in depth of wear measured between the two methods was 10 microns. The reflex microscope appears to be ideally suited to making objective comparisons between the wear characteristics of composite resins.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Engineering, University of Cape Town, Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Wilding
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods; D014070:Tooth / Q000473:pathology; D014072:Tooth Abrasion / Q000473:pathology*