| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Biological Materials Science
|
| Presentation Title |
A Comparison of Tooth Enamel Across Primates: A Lesson in Materials Design for Function |
| Author(s) |
Izabella Carpenter, Cameron Renteria, Jack Grimm, Debra Guatelli-Steinberg, Scott McGraw, Dwayne D. Arola |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Dwayne D. Arola |
| Abstract Scope |
Enamel is the outermost tooth tissue of all mammals. Differences in the structure and properties of enamel are expected across species to meet the requirements of diet and other functions. The objective of this investigation was to identify the materials design “parameters” that are modulated for this requirement. We compared the composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of tooth enamel across five different primates, namely human, orangutan and three species of monkeys. Selected chemical, microstructural, and mechanical properties of the enamel were quantified using spectroscopy and indentation techniques. Image analysis was applied to characterize the decussation patterns within the cervical and cuspal regions. Results showed that the composition and hardness of the enamel scaled with hardness of the principal diet. Furthermore, the enamel rod decussation parameters appeared correlated with the bite force quotient, as needed to resist fracture. Although tooth enamel is a universal tissue, it is tuned to support survival. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |