Compressive response of dentin micro-pillars

Abstract

We propose a new experimental approach for the study of Young's modulus and the strength of dentin, using micro sized pillar-like specimens tested under compression using a nanoindenter apparatus fitted with a flat punch indenter. Dentin micro pillars were prepared by ablation with ultra short laser pulses, and subsequently compressedwith a 30 μmdiameter flat punch. Tubule orientation is found to affect the compression behavior of dry dentine in air, more so for Young's modulus than for strength.We propose to fit these results with adaptations of fiber composite theoretical models. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010.