Researchers from institutes in China and the United States have developed a synthetic enamel-like material, which is expected to be a promising candidate for dental treatment materials due to its superior mechanical strength and hardness.
This material has superior mechanical strength and high hardness compared to natural enamel. (Source: scitechdaily).
Tooth enamel is the thin, acellular tissue that covers the outer surface of teeth. This layer is the hardest tissue in the human body but can crack, chip, and dissolve due to acid exposure. This is the reason behind many common dental issues such as cavities, tooth wear, and fluorosis. To maintain a healthy set of teeth, it is essential to protect the enamel layer.
The nanocomposite material developed by researchers from Beihang University, Peking University, and the University of Michigan mimics biological enamel with essential multilayer structures.
According to a research article published in the journal Science, this material exhibits superior mechanical strength, high hardness, and toughness, surpassing the properties of natural enamel as well as previously mass-produced enamel-like materials.
Professor Deng Xuliang from Peking University, one of the lead authors of the study, stated that the nanocomposite has hardness similar to that of natural tooth enamel, allowing this synthetic material to withstand chewing forces while also preventing tooth wear.
Furthermore, the nanocomposite can endure greater impact and vibration forces due to its enhanced toughness compared to natural enamel.
