Relations between shape, materials properties, and function in biological materials using laser speckle interferometry: In situ tooth deformation

Paul Zaslansky*, Ron Shahar, Asher A. Friesem, Steve Weiner

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

The manner in which stiff biological objects, such as whole bones and teeth, deform under load can provide direct insight into their in vivo functions, while highlighting the relations between their structure and materials properties. A new approach for studying the mechanical functions of such objects, using as an example the crowns of human teeth, is developed. Tooth-crown deformation under a compressive load is determined in water using laser speckle interferometry. The deformation patterns are analyzed using a novel procedure that reveals the relative magnitudes of 3D displacements of the outer surface. Nanometerscale deformations of natural teeth were compared to deformations of identical acrylic replicas, in order to differentiate between contributions of the structure-material properties from contributions of morphology. It is shown that human premolars deform in a manner that is largely controlled by shape; in natural teeth, the enamel cap appears to displace mainly as a rigid body, undergoing moderate deformation. These observations contribute to the understanding of whole-tooth performance under load. The approach for analyzing the deformation of loaded whole objects is directly applicable to the study of many stiff biological specimens, including comparisons between normal and altered (repaired or genetically modified) bones.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1925-1936
Number of pages12
JournalAdvanced Functional Materials
Volume16
Issue number15
DOIs
StatePublished - 4 Oct 2006

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