Estimativa das propriedades elásticas do esmalte dentário humano via homogeneização computacional

Abstract

Whereas tooth enamel is not an innervated neither vascular tissue which is constantly under the in uence of cyclical loading (functional or parafuncional) and that its tissue has no capacity for regeneration, it becomes important to study the mechanical properties of the enamel. It has an unique microstructure, which makes it exhibit excellent mechanical properties, but it appears fragile, with little ability to withstand plastic deformation prior to fracture. Some experimental indentation tests attempt to understand the mechanical behavior of this composite, but the complexity of its behavior and the di erent techniques imply in the modulus of elasticity for the hydroxyapatite, the organic matrix and the e ective modulus of dental enamel showing very di erent results in the literature. The same occurs for multiscale simulations of dental enamel models. Thus, this study aims 2D multi-scale modeling by Asymptotic Expansion Homogenization (AEH) technic to determine the mechanical properties e ective tensor of dental enamel. The conclusions of this study shows: 1- The enamel can be represented by an equivalent homogeneous medium, a repetitive representative unit cell; 2- The models proposed in this study present orthotropic behavior; 3- Although there are some limitations due to the mechanical and geometric simpli cations adopted, the results suggest more realistic applications and further studies on the microstructure of the material in question.