| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Biological Materials Science
|
| Presentation Title |
The 3D Structure of Dental Enamel: Synchrotron CT Insights and Property Relationships |
| Author(s) |
Cameron Renteria, Jack R. Grimm, Carli Marsico, Juliana Fernández-Arteaga, Donna P. Guillen, Viktor Nikitin, Dula Parkinson, Dwayne D. Arola |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Cameron Renteria |
| Abstract Scope |
Dental enamel is a mineralized tissue that endures cyclic contact and the harsh oral environment throughout a lifetime. Microscopically, hydroxyapatite nanocrystals conglomerate via organic proteins to form rods separated by microns of interrod nanocrystals. The enamel rods are parallel at the tooth surface but interwoven in the inner 'decussated' region. These features confer enamel with its remarkable damage tolerance, making it a promising candidate for bioinspired structural materials. Despite general knowledge of its fundamental microstructure, the relationships between decussated rod patterns, rod-interrod interfaces, composition, and mechanical properties are not well understood. We used synchrotron computed tomography at the micro- and nano-scale to study enamel decussation and rod morphology in relation to fracture resistance and composition. Fracture resistance was evaluated using indentation techniques while composition was determined through Raman spectroscopy. To explore the bioinspired design process, we consider enamel from various mammalian species. Details of these findings will be presented. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Biomaterials, Mechanical Properties, Characterization |