Probing the nanomechanical properties of teeth

Abstract

Nanoindentation provides an excellent way of probing and relating the structure and mechanical properties of teeth at the submicron and nanometer scale. For example, a nanoindenter with a high resolution imaging capability can help to elucidate the mechanisms with which certain diseases or even cleansing and bleaching agents can damage or undermine the structural integrity of teeth at the micro- and nanometer scale. This will provide some information on how best to tackle these problems or even preventing it. This paper examines some of the nanoindentation research that has been done on teeth. In particular, we will demonstrate one example on the use of nanoindentation to investigate the effects of bleaching agent on the nanomechanical properties of teeth.