Wear behaviour of human teeth in dry and artificial saliva conditions

Wear tests on human teeth, opposing 52100 steel and pure titanium ball, have been carried out in dry and artificial saliva conditions. To better simulate friction of a pair of teeth, small amplitude (500 μm) reciprocating sliding wear tests, instead of traditional pin-disc friction tests, have been performed with a modified fretting machine. Friction coefficient, wear depth, wear mechanism have been analysed and compared. Experimental results show that the friction pair composed of pure titanium and natural tooth has a better tribological behaviour. This preliminary investigation should be very useful for clinical applications.