Computer Modelling of Dental Plaque in Relation to Dental Caries

Abstract

The complex interplay of diffusion and reaction during a cariogenic challenge to the tooth, after sugar ingestion, is considered in terms of mathematical modelling of the dental plaque using finite-difference computer techniques. A discussion of some of the factors which might be included in a model is followed by a brief review of previous models and a description of the author's recent proposals designed to model cariogenesis more accurately. Some results obtained with this model are described, together with the strategy used for defining its parameters.