Moiré interferometric investigation on the role of hydration in the mechanical behavior of dentine

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the mechanical behavior of dehydrated and rehydrated dentine using a digital moiré interferometry. It was observed from this experiment that structural dentine demonstrated distinct strain gradients in the direction parallel and perpendicular to the dentinal tubules. During compressive loading, the rehydrated dentine displayed strain response characteristic of a tough material, while the dehydrated dentine showed strain response characteristic of a brittle material. Dehydration resulted in higher stiffness and reduced toughness in dentine structure. These experiments highlighted that the presence of water considerably influenced the mechanical behavior of structural dentine.