Nanoindentation as a Tool for Characterizing Mechanical Properties of Dental Hard Tissues: Main Research Areas

Abstract Over the past few decades, a number of papers have been published on the determination of mechanical properties of hard dental tissues using the nanoindentation method, which provides highly accurate assessment at the nanoscale. This method involves indentation of a specialized tool, an indenter, into the surface of a sample, followed by measuring the hardness and elastic modulus based on the dependence of the indentation depth on the applied load and the degree of elastic recovery after its removal. Nanoindentation allows to identify changes in mechanical properties caused by various factors, such as pathological processes, surface preparation methods, features of the crystal structure and inhomogeneity of biological tissue. This review presents modern approaches to nanoindentation and their application to characterize the mechanical properties of enamel, dentine and cementum of human teeth.