Research Progress on Structure and Mechanical Properties of Dental Enamel

doi:10.13701/j.cnki.kqyxyj.2020.03.006

Abstract

Abstract: The hierarchical structure of enamel composes the basis of its mechanical properties such as high hardness and high toughness. Understanding the mechanical properties of microstructures in enamel is helpful to the development of biomimetic restoration materials and the remineralization of dental enamel in clinical. In this review, the structure and mechanical properties of enamel were systematically reviewed in terms of its hierarchical structure and toughening mechanism brought by organic components, dentin-enamel junction, and hydration. The gradual hierarchical structure of enamel and the high contact area of dentin-enamel junction lead to the gradient distribution of mechanical properties, making enamel both rigid and toughness. Organic components such as a small amount of viscoelastic proteins and their hydration play an important role in energy dissipation, preventing crack propagation in the enamel and maintaining the structural integrity of the teeth. The investigations in the precise hierarchical structure of dental enamel and the complex synergistic toughening mechanism between inorganic and organic components provide new ideas for the development of biomimetic nanocomposites.

Key words: dental enamel, hierarchical structure, proteins, mechanical property

LIU Jitao, CHEN Qinghua. Research Progress on Structure and Mechanical Properties of Dental Enamel[J]. Journal of Oral Science Research, 2020, 36(3): 213-215.

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