Micro-mechanical characterisation of the properties of primary tooth dentine

Abstract

Objective. Understanding the mechanical properties of dentine is of importance as adhesive restorative materials mainly achieve their bonding to the tooth structure through dentine. The current study measures the hardness and modulus of elasticity of primary molar dentine using an Ultra-Micro-Indentation System (UMIS), which allows the dentine to remain hydrated and thus is assumed to be closer to the in vivo conditions. Methods. Eight sound primary molar teeth were axially sectioned, embedded in resin and fine polished. Two linear arrays of indentations were done on coronal dentine, from the pulp wall to dentino-enamel junction (DEJ) parallel to the tubule direction under a force load of 25..