this statement is a challenge, we can speculate that the stability of the system with
hierarchical structures would be fairly adjusted.
The hierarchical distribution of structures within biomaterials reflects adaptation
to function, among which the mechanical function is the first to be highlighted.
Recently, as advanced techniques such as nanoindentation are being more and more
widely applied in dental enamel research, the diversity of the mechanical properties
within enamel at various scales has been studied. Inspecting current achievements
of measuring the nanomechanical distribution in human dental enamel implies that
it fine-turns the hierarchical assembly of enamel structure from the microscale to
the mesoscale. Cuy et al. (2002) have measured the nanomechanical property
mapping of enamel by nanoindentation, which represents the mechanical distribution throughout the thickness of enamel layer. From the viewpoint of the hierarchical assembled structure, such mapping is determined to some extent by the differing
arrangements of the prism bands, indicating that the orientations and alignments of
prisms influence the mechanical diversity at the microscale. At a higher resolution
of mesoscale, the nanomechanical distributions within the prism/interprism continuum, including the nanohardness and elastic modulus of the prisms, interprisms and
sheaths and the anisotropy of a single prism, have been explored (Ge et al. 2006).
Merging the mechanical analysis at this level could result in an integrated system
that well reflects the properties of the prism/interprism continuum. However, using
currently available technologies, it is still a challenge to measure the mechanical
property distribution within smaller areas of enamel accurately. We can look
forward to such expecting measurements of enamel as the measuring facilities are
further refined.
The clarification of the hierarchical assembly of enamel structure provides a
novel insight into the microstructure of dental enamel, which may be important for
understanding the unique mechanical properties of enamel and its stable chemical
properties. In addition, it may have potential value in developing therapeutic
strategies for dentists. Furthermore, from a materials science viewpoint, the insights
gained from the study of these fascinating materials are not only important biologically, but may be helpful in developing our understanding of the relationship
between the structures and mechanical properties of materials, as well as well
providing new schemata that can be applied to the design and synthesis of advanced
materials by biomimic methods.
6.4 Study on the Principles of Calcium Carbonate
Mineralization
Many leading scientists over the world like Williams, Mann and Weiner et al. are
devoted to the theories that illustrate the process of biomineralization as
organic–inorganic interfacial recognition, molecule recognition and molecular
geometric match, etc. The researches developed from microscale into nanoscale,
6 Principles of Calcium-Based Biomineralization
169
hierarchical structures would be fairly adjusted.
The hierarchical distribution of structures within biomaterials reflects adaptation
to function, among which the mechanical function is the first to be highlighted.
Recently, as advanced techniques such as nanoindentation are being more and more
widely applied in dental enamel research, the diversity of the mechanical properties
within enamel at various scales has been studied. Inspecting current achievements
of measuring the nanomechanical distribution in human dental enamel implies that
it fine-turns the hierarchical assembly of enamel structure from the microscale to
the mesoscale. Cuy et al. (2002) have measured the nanomechanical property
mapping of enamel by nanoindentation, which represents the mechanical distribution throughout the thickness of enamel layer. From the viewpoint of the hierarchical assembled structure, such mapping is determined to some extent by the differing
arrangements of the prism bands, indicating that the orientations and alignments of
prisms influence the mechanical diversity at the microscale. At a higher resolution
of mesoscale, the nanomechanical distributions within the prism/interprism continuum, including the nanohardness and elastic modulus of the prisms, interprisms and
sheaths and the anisotropy of a single prism, have been explored (Ge et al. 2006).
Merging the mechanical analysis at this level could result in an integrated system
that well reflects the properties of the prism/interprism continuum. However, using
currently available technologies, it is still a challenge to measure the mechanical
property distribution within smaller areas of enamel accurately. We can look
forward to such expecting measurements of enamel as the measuring facilities are
further refined.
The clarification of the hierarchical assembly of enamel structure provides a
novel insight into the microstructure of dental enamel, which may be important for
understanding the unique mechanical properties of enamel and its stable chemical
properties. In addition, it may have potential value in developing therapeutic
strategies for dentists. Furthermore, from a materials science viewpoint, the insights
gained from the study of these fascinating materials are not only important biologically, but may be helpful in developing our understanding of the relationship
between the structures and mechanical properties of materials, as well as well
providing new schemata that can be applied to the design and synthesis of advanced
materials by biomimic methods.
6.4 Study on the Principles of Calcium Carbonate
Mineralization
Many leading scientists over the world like Williams, Mann and Weiner et al. are
devoted to the theories that illustrate the process of biomineralization as
organic–inorganic interfacial recognition, molecule recognition and molecular
geometric match, etc. The researches developed from microscale into nanoscale,
6 Principles of Calcium-Based Biomineralization
169