DENTAL CARIES OF HARD TISSUES AS AN INFLAMMATORY PROCESS WITHIN THE SYSTEM OF THE LAWS OF THERMODYNAMICS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/2786-7684/2026-3-17Keywords:
dental caries, hard dental tissues, inflammation, phagocytosis, anisotropy, ion exchange, thermodynamics, entropyAbstract
Dental caries is the most prevalent pathological process affecting the teeth. Its development is associated with the complex interaction of microorganisms, dental tissues, ionic exchange, and local physicochemical processes. Considering caries as an inflammatory process makes it possible to complement traditional biological concepts with the principles of thermodynamics, particularly the regularities of energy transformation and exchange, and changes in entropy. Aim. To describe the etiology of dental caries of the hard tissues as an inflammatory process within the system of the laws of thermodynamics and to determine the relationship between inflammation, phagocytosis, anisotropy, ion exchange, and energetic processes. Materials and methods. A literature analysis was conducted concerning the pathogenesis of dental caries, the properties of dental hard tissues, microbial activity, demineralization and remineralization processes, as well as the physicochemical and thermodynamic regularities accompanying the pathological process. The principles of the zeroth, first, second, and third laws of thermodynamics were theoretically analyzed in relation to processes occurring in dental tissues. Results and discussion. It was established that the development of the carious process is accompanied by a complex interaction of inflammatory reactions, microbial activity, changes in ionic composition, and disturbances in the energy balance of dental hard tissues. The roles of phagocytosis, anisotropy of enamel and dentin, ion transport, membrane potential, and entropy changes in the development of the pathological process were analyzed. The thermodynamic approach may help explain the direction and nature of physicochemical transformations associated with the demineralization of dental hard tissues. Conclusions. The application of the laws of thermodynamics broadens understanding of the mechanisms underlying caries development and of the relationships among structural changes in dental tissues, ion exchange, and energetic processes. Further research may focus on developing the thermodynamic basis of caries pathogenesis and applying it to improve approaches to prevention and treatment
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