Restoration of teeth arises due to accident or disease. Modern dentistry recognises preventive, corrective and restorative practices. Restoration of teeth may be done for aesthetics or restoration of function. Esthetic Dentistry clinicians desire restorative materials to be easier for handling characteristics and superior physical, mechanical and esthetical properties. The loss of function of teeth is primarily due to biological reasons or wear. The restorative material should not only biocompatible but also wear resistant. The wear of a restoration may result from the centric and functional contacts, the attrition of food bolus, the interproximal contact areas and tooth brushing.

There are as many dental wear simulators as the number of researchers. The test methods are not completely standardized due to the complexity involved. Cyclic loads are much detrimental than the static equivalent and its importance is well proven. Few researchers considered the cyclic nature of the mastication and almost everyone neglected the bite load. Bite load is about a decade higher than the masticatory load but with lesser statistical frequency. The mandibular motion is over simplified and the dental wear is generally simulated by pin on disc or rectilinear reciprocating sliding test configurations. These tests provide crude approximation but the results are far from reality.

The present system is designed for completeness in terms of versatility, flexibility and compactness. The system possess multifunctional force generator (Programmable Logic Controller) interfaced with hydraulically operated variable pressure linear actuators, which in turn coupled with mechanical load and motion development unit. The system is made robust and modular from assembly and operation point of view. Based on principles of wear analysis, the weight loss estimation method is selected for the current application since availability of precise weighing system and due to miniscule volume loss.

The system is designed to withstand acidic environment to simulate the gastric acids and has provision for environmental control, like temperature and pH variation during testing. With a flexible polyethylene cover the relative humidity can be maintained at desired level. Presently the system is open loop controlled, but with a feedback loop (pressure/ load, displacement or temperature) can be made closed loop.