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Fundamental Structure and Properties of Enamel, Dentin and Cementum

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Advances in Calcium Phosphate Biomaterials

Part of the book series: Springer Series in Biomaterials Science and Engineering ((SSBSE,volume 2))

Abstract

In this chapter, the fundamental structure of dental tissue at different scale levels and its concurrent role in determining the mechanical properties of the tooth are discussed. The main emphasis is on the role of the organic phase in determining the mechanical properties of enamel and dentin. In this regard, the results of nanoindentation experiments following different treatments of enamel and dentin are presented. These treatments include selective removal of matrix proteins and water of enamel and dentin tissue. The findings indicate that peptides and organic remnants not only play a significant role in the formation and structure of enamel and dentin, but also they regulate the mechanical response and functional integrity of the tooth tissue. In addition, these findings provide a basis for further investigation of the adverse effect of some current clinical treatments, such as bleaching, on the health and properties of dental tissue.

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Acknowledgement

The authors would like to acknowledge and remember the late Dr Lihong He, whose data and scientific work in this area helped us to write this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomaterials Science Research Unit, Department of Dental Biomaterials, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney, 2 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010, Australia

    Mahdi Shahmoradi, Luiz E. Bertassoni, Hunida M. Elfallah & Michael Swain

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  1. Mahdi Shahmoradi
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  2. Luiz E. Bertassoni
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  3. Hunida M. Elfallah
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  4. Michael Swain
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Swain .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry and Forensic Science, University of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

    Besim Ben-Nissan

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Shahmoradi, M., Bertassoni, L.E., Elfallah, H.M., Swain, M. (2014). Fundamental Structure and Properties of Enamel, Dentin and Cementum. In: Ben-Nissan, B. (eds) Advances in Calcium Phosphate Biomaterials. Springer Series in Biomaterials Science and Engineering, vol 2. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-53980-0_17

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