Abstract
Comment on van Casteren et al. (2018): softer metallic spheres do abrade harder enamel.
Highlights
Xia et al recently [1,2] presented experimental evidence that dental enamel is abraded by particles softer than this tissue.These results have important implications for paleontologists, biotribologists and dental clinicians alike
It was argued that because enamel crystallites are glued together by proteins, tissue removal requires only that contact pressure be sufficient to break the protein bonds holding enamel nanofibres together, so that materials softer than enamel can and do transmit such contact pressures. This is consistent with previous reports that microfracture of enamel can occur without plastic deformation [3], and that friction readily leads to wear debris with microcrack propagation [4]
Van Casteren et al argued that the aluminium balls used by Xia et al were surfaced by a thin rough oxide layer harder than enamel, and that the brass ball surfaces have hardness values comparable to or higher than enamel due to work hardening during manufacture
Summary
Xia et al recently [1,2] presented experimental evidence that dental enamel is abraded by particles softer than this tissue.These results have important implications for paleontologists, biotribologists and dental clinicians alike. Van Casteren et al argued that the aluminium balls used by Xia et al were surfaced by a thin rough oxide layer harder than enamel, and that the brass ball surfaces have hardness values comparable to or higher than enamel due to work hardening during manufacture.
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