Hierarchically mimicking outer tooth enamel for restorative mechanical compatibility

Junfeng Lu, Jingjing Deng, Yan Wei, Xiuyi Yang, Hewei Zhao (), Qihan Zhao, Shaojia Liu, Fengshi Li, Yangbei Li, Xuliang Deng (), Lei Jiang () and Lin Guo ()
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Junfeng Lu: Beihang University
Jingjing Deng: Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology
Yan Wei: Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology
Xiuyi Yang: Beihang University
Hewei Zhao: Beihang University
Qihan Zhao: Beihang University
Shaojia Liu: Beihang University
Fengshi Li: Beihang University
Yangbei Li: Beihang University
Xuliang Deng: Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology
Lei Jiang: Beihang University
Lin Guo: Beihang University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract Tooth enamel, and especially the outer tooth enamel, is a load-resistant shell that benefits mastication but is easily damaged, driving the need for enamel-restorative materials with comparable properties to restore the mastication function and protect the teeth. Synthesizing an enamel analog that mimics the components and hierarchical structure of natural tooth enamel is a promising way to achieve these comparable mechanical properties, but it is still challenging to realize. Herein, we fabricate a hierarchical enamel analog with comparable stiffness, hardness, and viscoelasticity as natural enamel by incorporating three hierarchies of outer tooth enamel based on hierarchical assembly of enamel-like hydroxyapatite hybrid nanowires with polyvinyl alcohol as a matrix. This enamel analog possesses enamel-similar inorganic components and a nanowire-microbundle-macroarray hierarchical structure. It exhibits toughness of 19.80 MPa m1/2, which is 3.4 times higher than natural tooth enamel, giving it long-term fatigue durability. This hierarchical design is promising for scalable production of enamel-restorative materials and for optimizing the mechanical performance of engineering composites.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54576-5

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