Enamel and dentin as multi-scale bio-composites.

Abstract

Dentin and enamel are viewed here as multi-scale composites comprising a staggered micro-structure made of stiff platelets embedded in a more compliant matrix, and further assembled into macroscopic composite-like structures. Mechanical models are formulated for both tissues and their effective moduli are evaluated analytically. The resulting predictions are in very good agreement with Finite Elements (FE) simulations and experimental data from the literature. The models developed in this study demonstrate the possibility, in certain cases, to generate special mechanical effects linked to the structural complexity of these tissues.