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

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.