Tooth-tastic

New research shows that the material from which teeth are made could – due to its ability to withstand huge pressure over many years – help aeronautics engineers design the airplanes and spacecraft of the future.

The team, from Tel Aviv University, undertook extensive testing of extracted teeth to try and understand why tooth enamel can perform so well despite only being as strong as glass.

The team leader, Prof. Herzl Chai from the School of Mechanical Engineering, said: "Teeth are made from an extremely sophisticated composite material which reacts in an extraordinary way under pressure. Teeth exhibit graded mechanical properties and a cathedral-like geometry, and over time they develop a network of micro-cracks which help diffuse stress. This, and the tooth's built-in ability to heal the micro-cracks over time, prevents it from fracturing into large pieces when we eat hard food, like nuts."

The kinds of materials found in airplanes and cars tend to be a complicated matrix of glass or carbon fibres. Teeth, however, are arranged in a wave rather than a grid structure. Because of this, they offer no clear direction for stress to travel in, leading to the creation of ‘micro cracks’ which actually serve to prevent fractures.

Professor Chai, who is an aircraft engineer, believes that this could point towards a new, lighter and better material basis for aircraft and spacecraft design, as well as stronger crowns.

Up in the sky

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