Date of Graduation

5-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Biological Sciences

Advisor/Mentor

Ungar, Peter

Committee Member/Reader

Alverson, Andrew

Committee Member/Second Reader

Willson, John D.

Committee Member/Third Reader

Wheeler, Jill

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether enamel surface texture can be used as objective and quantitative measurements to detect and monitor erosive tooth wear (ETW) as an adjunct to the subjective Basic Erosive Wear Evaluation (BEWE) that is commonly used today. This longitudinal observational clinical study enrolled 32 subjects with a sample of n = 584 teeth. Conventional dental microwear surface texture parameters (surface complexity, roughness, and anisotropy - Asfc, Sa, Str, respectively) (were generated using white-light scanning confocal profilometry) from the buccal surfaces of each tooth accepted to the study. I personally scanned and analyzed n = 176 of these specimens. Data were generated for patients at initial (baseline) visit and 12 months follow up (M12). Texture attributes were then compared with BEWE scores generated by an experienced clinician and enamel thickness measurements of the same samples generated using CP-OCT imaging. Results indicate that as enamel thickness decreased, BEWE scores, Sa, and Str increased. Asfc showed no significant change. The change in surface texture was significantly correlated with change in BEWE (r = -0.15-0.16, p < 0.001), but not with changes in enamel thickness (r = 0.02-0.09, p > 0.06). There was a greater increase in Sa and Str in teeth with BEWE progression. The findings of this study suggest that surface texture parameters be used to predict ETW severity.

Keywords

Erosive tooth wear; surface texture analysis; Basic erosive wear evaluation

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