Investigations of thermal property gradients in the human dentine

An investigation of the adaptation of dentine to temperature variation was conducted with the aid of digital moire interferometry and thermomechanical analysis. The moire interferometric patterns provided direct evidence of t wo major phases of thermally involved deformation in dentine. An initial ph ase of expansion was followed by contraction at higher temperatures. Signif icant gradients in thermal strain and the coefficient of thermal expansion were identified. Close agreement was found between the response of dentine to thermal changes as observed by moire interferometry and that detected by thermomechanical analysis. This study highlights the biological adaptation of dentine to thermal variations. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.