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Related Concept Videos

Teeth01:15

Teeth

The formation of teeth, also known as odontogenesis, is a complex process that begins in utero, around the sixth week of embryonic development. There are three stages to this process: the bud stage, the cap stage, and the bell stage.
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...
Tooth Anatomy01:21

Tooth Anatomy

The human tooth enables us to eat a variety of foods, speak clearly, and even aid in shaping our faces. Teeth are composed of various elements that work together. Here's a detailed look at the anatomy of a human tooth.
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
Fractures: Bone Repair01:27

Fractures: Bone Repair

Treatment for a fracture is based on the type of break, the bone affected, and the patient's age.
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
Behavior of Concrete Under Compressive Load01:23

Behavior of Concrete Under Compressive Load

Concrete exhibits specific behaviors under different compressive loads. Understanding this is crucial for understanding its structural integrity. When concrete undergoes uniaxial compression, it tends to develop cracks that run parallel to the direction of the force. These parallel cracks stem from localized tensile stresses that occur perpendicular to the compression direction. Additionally, angled cracks may appear due to the formation of shear planes.
As the concrete specimen fractures under...
Stress-Strain Diagram - Brittle Materials01:24

Stress-Strain Diagram - Brittle Materials

Brittle materials, including glass, cast iron, and stone, exhibit unique characteristics. They fracture without considerable change in their elongation rate, indicating that their breaking and ultimate strength are equivalent. Such materials also show lower strain levels at the point of rupture. The failure in brittle materials predominantly results from normal stresses, as evidenced by the rupture created along a surface perpendicular to the applied load. These materials do not display...
Classification of Bones01:18

Classification of Bones

The bones of the human skeletal system are of varied shapes, sizes, and functions. They can be classified based on their shape and function into four major classes: long bones, short bones, flat bones, and irregular bones. Some classifications include a fifth type, the sesamoid bones, as a separate class, whereas others categorize them under short bones.
Long and Short Bones
The appendicular skeleton, particularly the upper and lower limbs, is primarily made of long and short bones. The long...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Quasistatic Mechanical Testing for Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing Occlusal Veneers Cemented to Milled Dentin Analog Material
07:42

Quasistatic Mechanical Testing for Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing Occlusal Veneers Cemented to Milled Dentin Analog Material

Published on: December 20, 2024

Fracture modes in human teeth.

J J-W Lee1, J-Y Kwon, H Chai

  • 1Ceramics Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8520, USA.

Journal of Dental Research
|March 31, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Tooth enamel fracture limits structural integrity under stress. Cracks initiate from damage, propagating through enamel until higher loads cause widespread tooth failure.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials science
  • Dental biomechanics
  • Materials science

Background:

  • The structural integrity of teeth is crucial for their functional longevity.
  • Enamel, the outermost layer of teeth, is susceptible to fracture under occlusal forces.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the hypothesis that enamel fracture limits the structural integrity of molar teeth under stress.
  • To characterize the modes of crack initiation and propagation in molar teeth subjected to cusp loading.

Main Methods:

  • Molar teeth were subjected to loads applied via a metal rod on individual cusps.
  • Fracture events during testing were monitored using high-speed video recording.
  • Crack propagation patterns were analyzed to identify different cracking modes.

Main Results:

  • Two primary longitudinal cracking modes were observed: median cracks originating from the contact zone and margin cracks initiating at the cemento-enamel junction.
  • Cracks remained confined within the enamel layer up to approximately 550 N.
  • Above 550 N, enamel chipping and delamination occurred, leading to more extensive tooth structure failure.

Conclusions:

  • Enamel fracture is a primary failure mechanism limiting tooth structural integrity under occlusal stress.
  • Understanding these fracture modes can inform strategies for improving dental restoration and preventing tooth failure.