Enamel wear characterization based on a skewness and kurtosis surface roughness evaluation

This study discusses the roughness analysis of extracted human teeth and patients' teeth by dental molding, using 3D profilometry. Mean roughness, quadratic mean roughness, skewness and kurtosis were selected. The surface parameter values for extracted teeth with wear (N = 8) and without wear (N = 8) were compared. Statistical tests were used to verify differences between groups. Five patients with wear in teeth were selected and molded copies of worn teeth taken for surface analysis with a one year interval. The evolution of roughness parameters was analyzed and compared with their clinical features. No statistical differences were observed between extracted teeth with and without wear for mean roughness, quadratic mean roughness and skewness. The opposite occurred for kurtosis. Statistical equality for the variance was obtained, with the exception for skewness. Two individuals exhibited a distinct behavior. The clinical data was helpful to explain the skewness and kurtosis results. Both parameters were able to identify wear of teeth and could be useful to clarify aspects of clinical problems. Mean roughness and quadratic mean roughness were not helpful in this respect. Results indicated that the symmetrical distribution of the affected surfaces is maintained throughout the wear process, while other characteristics changed in time.