An Artificial Mouth for Caries Research

Abstract

A new type of apparatus is described for use in vitro studies of dental caries. Freshly extracted teeth were mounted in Kerr compound in acrylate boxes. Sterile bacteriological medium was allowed to flow dropwise on to the surface of the teeth and drain off. Inoculations were made weekly with samples of fresh pooled saliva. After 8 weeks in the artificial mouth, the 10 teeth studied became rapidly covered with a mass of bacteria. Some general decalcif ication resulted, but there were appreciable local differences, and pitting into the dentin was noticed. Previously abraded areas seemed particularly susceptible to attack. The general decalcif ication was ascribed to lack of mechanical cleansing factors.