Microstructure-Property Relationships in Human Adult and Baby Canine Teeth

摘要

Structure-property relationships in baby and adult teeth have been characterised using grazing-incidence synchrotron radiation diffraction and Vickers indentation. Similarities and differences between both types of teeth have been highlighted and discussed. Depth profiling results indicated the existence of contrasting but distinct gradual changes in crystal disorder, phase abundance, crystallite size and hardness within the baby and adult canine enamel, thus confirming the graded nature of human teeth. When compared to the adult tooth, the baby enamel is softer, more prone to fracture, but has larger hydroxyapatite grains.