The use of nanoindentation for estimating the properties of mineralized dental tissues: state-of-the art review

E. Koytchev, N. Antonova

Abstract: The use of nanoindentation technique to estimate nanomechanical properties of mineralized hard tooth tissues has been investigated. A detailed, critical, and comprehensive review of the scientific literature is the subject of the present work. After outlining the reasons for the review, a presentation of the, advantages, and disadvantages of the various quasistatic nanoindentation test methods (to obtain elastic modulus, E, and hardness, H) and dynamic test methods (to obtain storage and loss moduli and/or loss/damping factor) is presented in the form of a primer. Some summaries of literature reports on different factors that significantly influence E and H, followed by some suggested fields/areas for future research, are included. Latest research findings in teeth hard tissues properties by using nanoindentation are also presented. This review has the aim to outline a compact guide on the principles of the nanoindentation technique and to emphasize considerations when determining material properties of human hard teeth tissues.

Series on Biomechanics, Vol.36 No.1 (2022), 127-135
DOI: 10.7546/SB.17.2022

Keywords: hard tooth tissues; hardness; Nanoindentation; stiffness

Date published: 2022-04-12