Doctoral Degrees (Health Systems and Public Health)

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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Health Systems and Public Health) by browse.metadata.advisor "Dreyer, W. P."

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    Epidemiological and laboratory investigations of the hazardous effects of wine on human enamel
    (2005-04) Chikte, Usuf M. E.; Grobler, S. R.; Dreyer, W. P.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Community Health.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to investigate the erosive effect of wine on human permanent teeth. A multidimensional research approach utilising epidemiological investigations, Microhardness tests, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Confocal Laser Scanning Electron Microscopy (CLSM) were employed. The combination of these three scientific methods enabled the researcher to arrive at new concepts about the physical characteristics of the influence wine has on the dentition with special reference to enamel. A difference in erosion between teeth of wine-makers (and/or wine-tasters) and those who are not wine-makers, was clearly demonstrated. It is, however, possible that this difference might partially be attributed to the fact that the two main comparative groups were of opposite genders. In comparative epidemiological studies the design is constructed to have the groups similar with respect to background aetiology and different only to the factor under investigation, in this instance the frequent exposure to wine (high frequency and long duration of contact between wine and the teeth). In all likelihood the continuous, frequent exposure of wine-makers to wine is the major factor in the differences obtained (e.g. tooth surface loss and dentition status) in this study. A strong positive relationship was noted between statistically weighted tooth surface loss and the chronological age of wine-makers. A similar positive relationship could not be demonstrated in the case of years employed in the wine industry and tooth surface loss. All the Microhardness tests and microscopic investigations conducted confirmed the deleterious influence of wine on enamel. A clear 'dose-response' relationship was demonstrated by means of the Microhardness tests. The Scanning Electron Microscope and the Confocal Scanning Laser Electron Microscope (CLSM) work both corroborated the effects determined by the Microhardness tests. Differences were also demonstrated in the surface morphology of enamel with respect to the exposure to the wines investigated in the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) (three wines) and CLSM (two wines) studies. Differences with respect to severity were well established by means of the SEM investigations. Surface and subsurface lesions were observed with the aid of CLSM on the enamel exposed to the two wines.