The resilience of human teeth better understood

Researchers at the University of Montpellier's Bioengineering and Nanosciences Laboratory have uncovered a new structure in human tooth enamel, providing new insights into the resilience of teeth throughout life. It could also be an important evolutionary marker. A discovery made possible by high-resolution X-ray micro-tomography.

What is this discovery and what does it involve?

Researchers at LBN have uncovered a new structure in dental anatomy: tuft drapes. These "draped bushes" are regular structures a few tens of micrometers in size, located within the enamel, along the longitudinal axis and covering the dentin surface. They undoubtedly play a major mechanical role in the lifelong resilience of human teeth. These structures were observed for the first time in 3D on male and female molars using X-ray micro tomography. This non-destructive technique enables the internal density of samples to be visualized, thanks to the penetration of photons and their density-dependent absorption. The study was published in the scientific journal Archive of Oral Biology last September.

The LBN is therefore planning new investigations into these structures, their origin, function and presence in the evolutionary context.

The Bioengineering and Nanosciences Laboratory (LBN) at the University of Montpellier in brief

The aim of LBN's research is to contribute to the application of nanosciences to the fields of health and biology, with a particular focus on dentistry. The main aim is to bring nanomaterials and nanosensors closer to clinical application, based on a high-quality methodological approach.