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Piezoelectricity in cementum, dentine and bone
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, Shreveport 71130-3932.
Archives of Oral Biology
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Bone and dental tissues exhibit piezoelectricity, generating electrical charges under force. This piezoelectric effect in dentine and cementum is weaker than in bone, correlating with their bone remodeling capacities during orthodontic treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthodontics
- Biophysics
Background:
- Bone undergoes remodeling in response to orthodontic forces.
- Bone possesses piezoelectric properties, generating electrical charges when mechanical stress is applied.
- The piezoelectric properties of dental tissues like dentine and cementum are less understood compared to bone.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the piezoelectricity of dentine and cementum from sperm whale teeth.
- To compare the piezoelectric coefficients of these dental tissues with human bone.
- To correlate the piezoelectric strength with the known adaptive remodeling capacities of these tissues.
Main Methods:
- Samples of dentine and cementum from sperm whale teeth were obtained.
- The piezoelectric coefficients of dentine, cementum, and human bone were measured.
- The magnitude of piezoelectricity was quantified using established methods.
Main Results:
- Both dentine and cementum were found to be piezoelectric.
- The piezoelectric coefficients for dentine and cementum were measured at 0.027 pC/N and 0.028 pC/N, respectively.
- Human bone exhibited a significantly higher piezoelectric coefficient (0.22 pC/N), approximately eight times greater than the dental tissues.
Conclusions:
- The piezoelectric effect in dentine and cementum is weaker compared to human bone.
- A correlation exists between the strength of the piezoelectric effect and the capacity for adaptive tissue remodeling.
- These findings support the theory that piezoelectricity plays a role in mediating orthodontic-induced alveolar bone remodeling.
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