Mechanical properties and microstructure of hypomineralised enamel of permanent teeth

Abstract

Isolated enamel defects are commonly seen in first permanent molar teeth but there has been little work on the physical and morphological composition of affected molars. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanical and morphological properties of hypomineralised first permanent molar teeth, utilising the Ultra-Micro-Indentation System (UMIS) and scanning electron microscope, respectively. Further investigations using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometery (EDS), Back Scatter Electron (BSE) Imaging, and X-ray diffraction were employed to attempt to determine the chemical composition, mineral content and crystalline structure of the hypomineralised tissue, respectively, of eight first ..