title: Evaluation of fracture toughness of human dentin using elastic-plastic fracture mechanics.
abstract: Dentin, the mineralized tissue forming the bulk of the tooth, lies between the enamel and the pulp chamber. It is a rich source of inspiration for designing novel synthetic materials due to its unique microstructure. Most of the previous studies investigating the fracture toughness of dentin have used linear-elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) that ignores plastic deformation and could underestimate the toughness of dentin. With the presence of collagen (approximately 30% by volume) aiding the toughening mechanisms in dentin, we hypothesize that there is a significant difference between the fracture toughness estimated using LEFM (Kc) and elastic-plastic fracture mechanics (EPFM) (KJc). Single-edge notched beam specimens with in-plane (n=10) and anti-plane (n=10) parallel fractures were prepared following ASTM standard E1820 and tested in three-point flexure. KJc of the in-plane parallel and anti-plane parallel specimens were found to be 3.1 and 3.4 MPa m 1/2 and Kc were 2.4 and 2.5 MPa m 1/2, respectively. The fracture toughness estimated based on KJc is significantly greater than that estimated based on Kc (32.5% on average; p<0.001). In addition, KJc of anti-plane parallel specimens is significantly greater than that of in-plane parallel specimens. We suggest that, in order to critically evaluate the fracture toughness of human dentin, EPFM should be employed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Indiana University, USA. brattyan@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Jiahau
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Burak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Taskonak
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Platt
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Mecholsky
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003804:Dentin / Q000502:physiology*; D004548:Elasticity; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical