牙釉质的结构和力学性能研究进展

牙釉质的渐变层级结构是其高硬度和高韧性等力学性能的基础。了解牙釉质中微观组织的力学特性,有助于仿生修复材料的开发和临床上牙釉质的再矿化。本文从牙釉质的分级结构特征和有机组分、牙本质-牙釉质结以及水合对牙釉质的增韧机制等方面,对牙釉质的结构和力学性能进行了系统评论。牙釉质的渐变层级结构以及牙本质-牙釉质结的高接触面积带来力学性能的梯度分布,使牙釉质同时具有刚度和耐久性。具有粘弹性的微量蛋白质等有机组分及其水合作用,对能量耗散、防止裂纹在牙釉质中传播并保持牙齿的结构完整性起到了重要作用。深入研究牙釉质中精密的层级结构和无机物-有机物之间复杂的协同增韧机制,为生物仿生纳米复合材料的开发提供了新的思路。

Research Progress on Structure and Mechanical Properties of Dental Enamel

The hierarchical structure of enamel composes the basis of its mechanical properties such as high hardness and high toughness.Understanding the mechanical properties of microstructures in enamel is helpful to the development of biomimetic restoration materials and the remineralization of dental enamel in clinical.In this review,the structure and mechanical properties of enamel were systematically reviewed in terms of its hierarchical structure and toughening mechanism brought by organic components,dentin-enamel junction,and hydration.The gradual hierarchical structure of enamel and the high contact area of dentin-enamel junction lead to the gradient distribution of mechanical properties,making enamel both rigid and toughness.Organic components such as a small amount of viscoelastic proteins and their hydration play an important role in energy dissipation,preventing crack propagation in the enamel and maintaining the structural integrity of the teeth.The investigations in the precise hierarchical structure of dental enamel and the complex synergistic toughening mechanism between inorganic and organic components provide new ideas for the development of biomimetic nanocomposites.