The Relevance of Artificial Caries Models for Assessing and Testing Dental Materials. A Short Review Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59743/jaf.v10i1.927Keywords:
artificial caries, evaluation and testing of dental materialAbstract
The development of laboratory models that replicate the human oral cavity has addressed significant challenges in oral disease research, including ethical concerns and the inherent complexity of the oral environment. Generating carious lesions on tooth substrates is a vital practice, as it allows for the evaluation and testing of new dental materials. By using artificial caries models to assess the remineraliztion, lesion depth, mechanical and physical properties, biocompatibility, and clinical application of these materials prior to their commercial release, researchers can foster superior treatment options and improved patient outcomes. Various methods have been employed to create these artificial lesions to study caries progression and evaluate the efficacy of restorative materials. In vitro models are well-suited for creating lesions to conduct various experiments, as artificial carious lesions closely resemble clinical conditions. This approach enables researchers to address the challenges and complexities of real-world scenarios. Without artificial caries models, dental biomaterials development would rely on unpredictable, slow, expensive clinical trials. These models provide the scientific rigor needed to prove efficacy before materials reach patients, making them indispensable for evidence-based dentistry. Consequently, this article reviews the significance of artificial laboratory models in evaluating and testing the efficacy of new materials.
Downloads
References
Agob, Jamila Nuwayji, Aref, Neven Saad, & Al-Wakeel, Essam El Saeid. (2018). Effect of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate on fluoride release and micro-shear bond strength of resin-modified glass ionomer cement in caries-affected dentin. Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics, 43(4). DOI: https://doi.org/10.5395/rde.2018.43.e45
Álamo, Larissa, de Toledo Stuani, Vitor, Correa, Lígia Espoliar, Soares, Igor Paulino Mendes, Anselmi, Caroline, de Souza Costa, Carlos Alberto, . . . Soares, Diana Gabriela. (2026). Trans-dentinal cytotoxicity assessment of adhesive systems on sound and caries-affected dentin using a microphysiological artificial pulp chamber system. Dental Materials. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dental.2026.03.162
Alves, FB, Lenzi, TL, Reis, A, Loguercio, AD, Carvalho, TS, & Raggio, DP. (2013). Bonding of simplified adhesive systems to caries-affected dentin of primary teeth. Journal of Adhesive Dentistry, 15(5), 439-445.
Amaechi, Bennett T, Abdul Azees, Parveez Ahamed, Farah, Rayane, Movaghari Pour, Fatemeh, Dillow, Andrew M, & Lin, Chun-Yen. (2023). Evaluation of an artificial mouth for dental caries development. Microorganisms, 11(3), 628. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11030628
Anil, Sukumaran, Porwal, Priyanka, & Porwal, Amit. (2023). Transforming dental caries diagnosis through artificial intelligence-based techniques. Cureus, 15(7). DOI: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.41694
Aref, Neven S, & Alsdrani, Rahaf M. (2023). Surface topography and spectrophotometric assessment of white spot lesions restored with nano-hydroxyapatite-containing universal adhesive resin: an in-vitro study. BMC Oral Health, 23(1), 911. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-03642-3
Creanor, SL, Awawdeh, LA, Saunders, WP, Foye, RH, & Gilmour, WH. (1998). The effect of a resin-modified glass ionomer restorative material on artificially demineralised dentine caries in vitro. Journal of dentistry, 26(5-6), 527-531. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0300-5712(98)00021-9
de Azevedo, Cynthia Soares, Garbui, Bruna Uglik, e Silva, C Martins, Lorenzetti, MR Simionato, de Freitas, Anderson Zanardi, & Matos, Adriana Bona. (2014). Obtaining artificially caries-affected dentin for in vitro studies. The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice, 15(1), 12-19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10024-1480
Di Foggia, Michele, Prati, Carlo, Gandolfi, Maria Giovanna, & Taddei, Paola. (2019). An in vitro study on dentin demineralization and remineralization: Collagen rearrangements and influence on the enucleated phase. Journal of inorganic biochemistry, 193, 84-93. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2019.01.004
Franca, Cristiane Miranda, de Souza Balbinot, Gabriela, Cunha, Diana, Saboia, Vicente de Paulo Aragão, Ferracane, Jack, & Bertassoni, Luiz E. (2022). In-vitro models of biocompatibility testing for restorative dental materials: From 2D cultures to organs on-a-chip. Acta biomaterialia, 150, 58-66. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2022.07.060
Fu, Yipeng, Ekambaram, Manikandan, Li, Kai Chun, Zhang, Ya, Cooper, Paul R, & Mei, May Lei. (2024). In vitro models used in cariology mineralisation research—a review of the literature. Dentistry journal, 12(10), 323. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/dj12100323
Jablonski-Momeni, Anahita, Lentz, Jenna, Jablonski, Boris, Kiesow, Andreas, & Morawietz, Maria. (2024). A comparison between in vitro and randomized in situ models for remineralization of artificial enamel lesions. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 25295. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76387-w
Kazem, Nada E, El-Refai, Dina A, & Alian, Ghada. (2024). Assessment of physical properties of bioactive glass-modified universal multimode adhesive and its bonding potential to artificially induced caries affected dentin. BMC Oral Health, 24(1), 423. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-024-04175-z
Marquezan, Marcela, Corrêa, Fernanda Nahás P, Sanabe, Mariane Emi, Rodrigues Filho, Leonardo Eloy, Hebling, Josimeri, Guedes-Pinto, Antonio Carlos, & Mendes, Fausto Medeiros. (2009). Artificial methods of dentine caries induction: a hardness and morphological comparative study. Archives of Oral Biology, 54(12), 1111-1117. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2009.09.007
Moron, Bruna Mangialardo, Comar, Lívia Picchi, Wiegand, A, Buchalla, W, Yu, H, Buzalaf, Marília Afonso Rabelo, & Magalhães, Ana Carolina. (2013). Different protocols to produce artificial dentine carious lesions in vitro and in situ: hardness and mineral content correlation. Caries research, 47(2), 162-170. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000345362
Nakajima, M, Sano, H, Burrow, MF, Tagami, J, Yoshiyama, M, Ebisu, S, . . . Pashley, David Henry. (1995). Tensile bond strength and SEM evaluation of caries-affected dentin using dentin adhesives. Journal of Dental Research, 74(10), 1679-1688. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345950740100901
Nicholson, John W. (2005). Evaluating the effectiveness of dental restorative materials for clinical service. Balkan Journal of Stomatology, 9(2), 77-82.
Nigam, Anant G, Jaiswal, JN, Murthy, RC, & Pandey, RK. (2009). Estimation of fluoride release from various dental materials in different media—an in vitro study. International journal of clinical pediatric dentistry, 2(1), 1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1033
Pacheco, Larissa Ferreira, Banzi, Efani Caroline de Freitas, Rodrigues, Eliana, Soares, Luís Eduardo Silva, Pascon, Fernanda Miori, Correr-Sobrinho, Lourenço, & Puppin-Rontani, Regina Maria. (2013a). Molecular and structural evaluation of dentin caries-like lesions produced by different artificial models. Brazilian dental journal, 24(6), 610-618.
Pacheco, Larissa Ferreira, Banzi, Éfani Caroline de Freitas, Rodrigues, Eliana, Soares, Luís Eduardo Silva, Pascon, Fernanda Miori, Correr-Sobrinho, Lourenço, & Puppin-Rontani, Regina Maria. (2013b). Molecular and structural evaluation of dentin caries-like lesions produced by different artificial models. Brazilian dental journal, 24(6), 610-618. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-6440201302357
Palmer Jr, Robert J. (2014). Composition and development of oral bacterial communities. Periodontology 2000, 64(1), 20-39. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0757.2012.00453.x
Salam, Alaa Esmat Abdel, Ismail, Hoda Saleh, & Hamama, Hamdi. (2025). Evaluation methods of artificial demineralization protocols for coronal dentin: a systematic review of laboratory studies. BMC Oral Health, 25(1), 621. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05885-8
Skucha-Nowak, M, Gibas, M, Tanasiewicz, M, Twardawa, H, & Szklarski, T. Natural and controlled demineralization for study purposes in minimally invasive dentistry. Adv Clin Exp Med 2015; 24: 891–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17219/acem/28903
Talwar, Manjit, Borzabadi-Farahani, Ali, Lynch, Edward, Borsboom, Peter, & Ruben, Jan. (2019). Remineralization of demineralized enamel and dentine using 3 dentifrices—an invitro study. Dentistry journal, 7(3), 91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/dj7030091
Tang, Gaoyan, Yip, Hak-Kong, Cutress, Terry W, & Samaranayake, Lakshman P. (2003). Artificial mouth model systems and their contribution to caries research: a review. Journal of dentistry, 31(3), 161-171. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0300-5712(03)00009-5
Tavangar, Maryam S, Safarpour, Ayda, Torabi Parizi, Arefeh, & Shafiei, Fereshteh. (2022). Evaluating the shear bond strength and remineralization effect of calcium silicate‐based and conventional self‐adhesive resin cements to caries‐affected dentin. Clinical and Experimental Dental Research, 8(6), 1630-1637. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cre2.665
Ten Cate, Jacob M. (2015). Models and role models. Caries Research, 49(Suppl. 1), 3-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000380870
Valizadeh, Sara, Khub, Maryam Rahimi, Chiniforush, Nasim, Kharazifard, Mohammad-Javad, & Hashemikamangar, Sedighe Sadat. (2020). Effect of laser irradiance and fluoride varnish on demineralization around dental composite restorations. Journal of Lasers in Medical Sciences, 11(4), 450. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34172/jlms.2020.70
Varpio, M, & Noren, JG. (1994). Artificial caries in primary and permanent teeth adjacent to composite resin and glass ionomer cement restorations. Pediatric Dentistry, 16(2), 107-109.
Vinod, Darshana, Gopalakrishnan, Anjana, Subramani, Saravanakumar M, Balachandran, Muralikrishnan, Manoharan, Vidya, & Joy, Amrutha. (2020). A comparative evaluation of remineralizing potential of three commercially available remineralizing agents: an in vitro study. International journal of clinical pediatric dentistry, 13(1), 61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1715
Yang, Bin, Flaim, Glenn, & Dickens, Sabine H. (2011). Remineralization of human natural caries and artificial caries-like lesions with an experimental whisker-reinforced ART composite. Acta biomaterialia, 7(5), 2303-2309. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2011.01.002
Yassen, Ghaeth H, Platt, Jeffrey A, & Hara, Anderson T. (2011). Bovine teeth as substitute for human teeth in dental research: a review of literature. Journal of oral science, 53(3), 273-282. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2334/josnusd.53.273
Yin, Iris Xiaoxue, Yu, Ollie Yiru, Zhao, Irene Shuping, Mei, May Lei, Li, Quan Li, Tang, Jinyao, . . . Chu, Chun Hung. (2020). Inhibition of dentine caries using fluoride solution with silver nanoparticles: An in vitro study. Journal of dentistry, 103, 103512. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2020.103512
Yu, Ollie Yiru, Zhao, Irene Shuping, Mei, May Lei, Lo, Edward Chin-Man, & Chu, Chun-Hung. (2017). A review of the common models used in mechanistic studies on demineralization-remineralization for cariology research. Dentistry journal, 5(2), 20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/dj5020020
Zhang, Jing, Boyes, Victoria, Festy, Frederic, Lynch, Richard JM, Watson, Timothy F, & Banerjee, Avijit. (2018). In-vitro subsurface remineralisation of artificial enamel white spot lesions pre-treated with chitosan. Dental Materials, 34(8), 1154-1167. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dental.2018.04.010
Zheng, Lei, Hilton, Joan F, Habelitz, Stefan, Marshall, Sally J, & Marshall, Grayson W. (2003). Dentin caries activity status related to hardness and elasticity. European journal of oral sciences, 111(3), 243-252. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0722.2003.00038.x
Zhou, Xuedong. (2016). Dental caries: principles and management: Springer. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-47450-1
Downloads
Published
License
Copyright (c) 2026 جميله نويجي عقوب
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
