Resonant ultrasound spectroscopy measurements of the elastic constants of human dentin

Kinney, J.H.; Gladden, J.R.; Marshall, G.W.; Marshall, S.J.; So, J.H.; Maynard, J.D.

doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2003.09.028

« Previous Next »Journal of Biomechanics
Volume 37, Issue 4 , Pages 437-441, April 2004

Resonant ultrasound spectroscopy measurements of the elastic constants of human dentin☆

J.H. Kinney
- Division of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences, University of California, Mail Stop 0758, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Corresponding author. Correspondence address: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lawrence Livermore National Lab, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94551. Tel.: (925) 422-6669; fax: (925) 736-6889
J.R. Gladden
- Department of Physics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
G.W. Marshall
- Division of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences, University of California, Mail Stop 0758, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
S.J. Marshall
- Division of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences, University of California, Mail Stop 0758, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
J.H. So
- Department of Physics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
J.D. Maynard
- Department of Physics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA

Accepted 9 September 2003.

Abstract

The technique of resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) was used to measure the second-order elastic constants of hydrated human dentin. Specimens were placed between two transducers, and the resonant frequencies of vibration were measured between 0.5 and 1.4MHz. The elastic constants determined from the measured resonant frequencies in hydrated dentin exhibited slight hexagonal anisotropy, with the stiffest direction being perpendicular to the axis of the tubules (E₁₁=25.1GPa). This hexagonal anisotropy was small (E₃₃/E₁₁=0.92), and almost disappeared when the specimens were dried. In addition, there was a pronounced anisotropy in the Poisson's ratio of wet dentin: ν₂₁=0.45; ν₃₁=0.29. With drying in air, this anisotropy vanished: ν₂₁=ν₃₁=0.29. The isotropic Young's modulus of dried dentin was 28.1GPa. RUS shows promise for determining the elastic constants in mineralized tissues.