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How to Write an Introduction Section of Your Scientific Manuscript: A Sample from the Title Dental Erosion and its Growing Importance in Clinical

Practice: From Past to Present:

Dr. Nancy Agens, Head,

Technical Operations, Pubrica

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I. INTRODUCTION

(Preparation of the Background)Since

the mid-1990s, there has been an increase

in interest in dental erosion, and how it

influences tooth wear. Before, studies on

human tooth wear were mainly based on

teeth obtained from teeth which were

acquired via archaeology. These days such

studies are carried out on adult human

beings. However, in neither clinical case

report was dental erosion identified as a

major etiological factor [1]. In the mid-

1990s, emphasis on this subject matter

shifted from adults to children and

adolescents on one hand, and from general

tooth wear (attrition and abrasion) to

paying more attention the significance of

the different causative factors resulting in

erosive tooth wear. (Discussion of the

basic references related to the main

topic)Recently, several studies from many

different nations all over the globe have

reported that the prevalence of erosive

wear is high, especially among children

and adolescents is high. Apart from this,

some longitudinal studies prove that the

occurrence of erosion is on the rise, and

erosive lesions that are already present

progress rapidly [2]. Even if the

prevalence rates vary substantially, it is

evident that dental erosion is a common

finding in populations from all over the

world, especially among children and

adolescents. The food consumed by

human beings centuries ago was often

tough and contained coarse particles,

which required heavy chewing. The

resulting wear facets were further

influenced by the abrasive components of

the food. Modern diets would appear to

lack such abrasives but can contain acids,

which can demineralize enamel and

potentiate attrition and abrasion.

Nevertheless, there are findings supporting

the existence of dental erosion even in

medieval populations[3].A number of

different terms like attrition, erosion, and

abrasion are used frequently in dentistry to

refer to tooth wear; however, these terms

do not clearly explain the process of

wearing, neither do they identify the cause.

They rather describe the clinical research

outcomes of some underlying events. As

such, the science of tribology might

betterdescribe the process of tooth wear.

Many different mechanisms exist in the

science of tribology, one of which could

apply in tooth wear. This one couldbe

explained in terms of two-body abrasion

(attrition) or three three-body abrasion,

interacting with abrasive fluid (erosion and

abrasion) [4].

(Problem statement) Till now

there has not been a consensus on the

definition and diagnostic criteria for dental

erosion. This, together with prior lack of

interest in the subject matter can explain

some of the ambiguities associated with

the condition [5]. With the existence of

such ambiguities, the diagnosis of the

condition remains hazy, and the

pathophysiology is still not fully

understood; as such, patients cannot

receive adequate management and counsel

on how to prevent the condition.

(Need for the study / indication

of the purpose) It is, therefore, the

purpose of this paper to give an overview

of current knowledge of dental erosion,

based on a scrutiny of the literature review.

This would lead to a better understanding,

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and a clarification of the diagnostic criteria

and pathophysiology is essential for

correct early diagnosis, management, and

prevention. This is very important at such

a point in time, as we are experiencing an

increase in the prevalence of the condition.

(Significance of the study)Even

though identifying a single clinically

detectable cause of tooth wear may be

challenging, it would be good to determine

if dental erosion is becoming more of an

essential characteristic of such tooth

wear.It is important for the oral healthcare

team to be able to recognize the early signs

and symptoms of dental erosion and to

adequately understand disease process.

This understanding would be paramount to

counselling patients appropriately on how

to prevent and manage tooth wear early

enough, before it evolves to stages where

complications occur. This would be easier

and relatively more cost-effective,

especially as prevention can be achieved

using simple lifestyle modifications.

REFERENCES

1. Johansson A. A cross-cultural study of occlusal

tooth wear. Swed Dent J Suppl. 1992; 86:1–59.

2. Ganss C, Klimek J, Giese K. Dental erosion in

children and adolescents--a cross-sectional and

longitudinal investigation using study models.

Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2001

Aug;29(4):264–71.

3. Robb ND, Cruwys E, Smith BG. Regurgitation

erosion as a possible cause of tooth wear in ancient

British populations. Arch Oral Biol.

1991;36(8):595–602.

4. Mair LH. Wear in dentistry--current terminology. J

Dent. 1992 Jun;20(3):140–4.

5. Johansson A-K. On dental erosion and associated

factors. Swed Dent J Suppl. 2002;(156):1–77.