AN ARTIFICIAL MOUTH FOR CARIES RESEARCH

¹ University of Alabama, School of Dentistry and Medical College, Biochemistry Department, Birmingham, Ala.

An apparatus has been developed, called the " artificial mouth," which may have considerable value in studies of in vitro caries. Many oral conditions can be approximated and controlled.

Preliminary results for 10 teeth exposed about eight weeks in the apparatus are described. Widespread pitting of the ocelusal areas with penetration into the dentin occurred, and teeth rapidly developed a plaquelike material. The attack was not normal for natural caries and tended to occur first in abraded enamel. Extensive decalcification occurred. It is suggested that lack of mechanical cleansing action and the formation of a heavy general plaque were responsible for these results. Further studies are in progress.

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				W. PIGMAN In vitro Studies of Dental Decay Science, November 12, 1954; 120(3124): 810 - 810. [PDF]