The effects of dehydration and rehydration on some mechanical properties of human dentine

This study was designed to investigate the effect of dehydration and rehydration on the brittleness and toughness of human dentine. Tensile and three-point bend tests were carried out on hydrated, dehydrated and rehydrated dentine bars, sectioned from sound extracted, human third molar teeth. The stress, strain and fracture energy (toughness) were calculated and the results were analysed using ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test at p = 0.01. Stress at fracture did not differ significantly between hydrated, dehydrated or rehydrated dentine in bending or tensile tests. Strain at fracture and fracture energy were significantly greater for hydrated and rehydrated than for dehydrated dentine. In bending, the elastic energy (resilience) of dehydrated dentine was significantly greater than that of hydrated or rehydrated dentine, but dehydrated dentine showed no plastic energy (deformation) in contrast with the high values for hydrated and rehydrated dentine. Dehydration of human dentine resulted in decreased strain at fracture and demonstrated a brittle behaviour. The absence of plastic energy of deformation and the significantly reduced energy required to induce fracture were indicative of decreased toughness by dehydration. These changes were abolished after rehydration.