Temperature-dependence of Compressive Properties of Human Dentin

Abstract

The effect of temperature on compressive stress/strain behavior of human dentin obtained from recently extracted permanent lower molar teeth has been determined over the range 0-80°C. Dentin specimens were loaded uni-axially in a direction perpendicular to the tubule orientation. A statistically significant, linear regression relationship was found between modulus (E) and temperature (T): The observed temperature coefficient of the modulus is in close agreement with that observed for cortical bone. Proportional limit, compressive strength, and resilience were also found to undergo a linear decrease with increasing temperature. Mechanical failure of specimens generally occurred along lines determined by maximum shear stresses, approximately 45° to the axial load direction.