Hierarchically mimicking outer tooth enamel for restorative mechanical compatibility.

ABSTRACT: Tooth enamel, and especially the outer tooth enamel, is a load-resistant shell that benefits mastication but is easily damaged, driving the need for enamel-restorative materials with comparable properties to restore the mastication function and protect the teeth. Synthesizing an enamel analog that mimics the components and hierarchical structure of natural tooth enamel is a promising way to achieve these comparable mechanical properties, but it is still challenging to realize. Herein, we fabricate a hierarchical enamel analog with comparable stiffness, hardness, and viscoelasticity as natural enamel by incorporating three hierarchies of outer tooth enamel based on hierarchical assembly of enamel-like hydroxyapatite hybrid nanowires with polyvinyl alcohol as a matrix. This enamel analog pos

SUBMITTER: Lu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11585591 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature