Pathophysiology of Demineralization, Part I: Attrition, Erosion, Abfraction, and Noncarious Cervical Lesions

Abstract

Purpose of the review: Compare pathophysiology for infectious and noninfectious demineralization disease relative to mineral maintenance, physiologic fluoride levels, and mechanical degradation.

Recent findings: Environmental acidity, biomechanics, and intercrystalline percolation of endemic fluoride regulate resistance to demineralization relative to osteopenia, noncarious cervical lesions, and dental caries.

Summary: Demineralization is the most prevalent chronic disease in the world: osteoporosis (OP) >10%, dental caries ~100%. OP is severely debilitating while caries is potentially fatal. Mineralized tissues have a common physiology: cell-mediated apposition, protein matrix, fluid logistics (blood, saliva), intercrystalline ion percolation, cyclic demineralization/remineralization, and acid-based degradation (microbes, clastic cells). Etiology of demineralization involves fluid percolation, metabolism, homeostasis, biomechanics, mechanical wear (attrition or abrasion), and biofilm-related infections. Bone mineral density measurement assesses skeletal mass. Attrition, abrasion, erosion, and abfraction are diagnosed visually, but invisible subsurface caries <400μm cannot be detected. Controlling demineralization at all levels is an important horizon for cost-effective wellness worldwide.