A Better Understanding of the Resilience of Human Teeth

[Press Release] - Published on December 15, 2022 in the Press Room

Researchers at the Bioengineering and Nanosciences Laboratory at the University of Montpellier have uncovered a new structure in human tooth enamel that provides a better understanding of the resilience of teeth throughout a person’s lifetime. It could also serve as an important marker of evolution. This discovery was made possible by high-resolution X-ray micro-tomography.

What is this discovery, and what does it involve?

Researchers at the LBN have discovered a new structure in dental anatomy: “draped tufts.” These “tuft drapes” are regular structures measuring a few tens of micrometers, located within the enamel along the longitudinal axis and covering the surface of the dentin. They undoubtedly play a major mechanical role in the resilience of human teeth throughout life. These structures were observed for the first time in 3D on molars from men and women using X-ray microtomography—a non-destructive technique that visualizes the internal density of samples by measuring the penetration of photons and their absorption based on density. The study was published in the scientific journal *Archive of Oral Biology* last September.

The LBN has therefore planned further investigations into these structures, their origin, their function, and their role in evolution.

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

The goal of LBN’s research is to contribute to the application of nanoscience in the fields of health and biology, with a particular focus on dentistry. The primary objective is to advance nanomaterials and nanosensors toward clinical application by employing a high-quality methodological approach.

Keywords: Research, Science, Company