Nano-frictional mechano-reinforcing porous nanowires scaffolds

Artificial biomaterials with dynamic mechano-responsive behaviors similar to those of biological tissues have been drawing great attention.In this study,we report a TiO_(2)-based nanowire(TiO_(2)NWs)scaffolds,which exhibit dynamic mechano-responsive behaviors varying with the number and amplitude of nano-deformation cycles.It is found that the elastic and adhesive forces in the TiO_(2)NWs scaffolds can increase significantly after multiple cycles of nano-deformation.Further nanofriction experiments show the triboelectric effect of increasing elastic and adhesive forces during the nano-deformation cycles of TiO_(2)NWs scaffolds.These properties allow the TiO_(2)NW scaffolds to be designed and applied as intelligent artificial biomaterials to simulate biological tissues in the future.

Digital analysis of tooth microwear,a potential application for dental microwear monitor

In general,tooth wear is difficult to be noticed until it leads to toothache in vivo.Developing a dynamic dental wear monitoring system to predict tooth wear in daily life is a necessity.The translation between complex surface wear morphology and corresponding digital signal source is a technical limitation to develop this kind of monitoring system.Microwear texture analysis has been widely employed in predicting diet by a palaeontologist.The main question is whether the microwear texture analysis has potential development space to develop a sensor for monitoring tooth wear.According to obtained results,the microwear texture analysis had enough sensitivity to display the surface morphology variations for different chewing foods and various angles.The corresponding sensitive digital signal of tooth microwear surface morphology makes it possible to develop a dental microwear sensor.

Flexible,high-strength titanium nanowire for scaffold biomimetic periodontal membrane

A layer of micro-sized periodontal membrane can buffer most chewing forces to protect the interface between the natural tooth root and alveolar bone.Artificial dental implants usually direct contact onto the alveolar bone without a buffer layer,which increases the risk of surface damage.The main purpose of this work was the bionic design of a flexible layer of nanowire scaffold on a titanium implant surface according to the function of the periodontal membrane.Millions of nanowires were woven into a superhydrophilic layer of porous scaffold.The evolution of mechanical properties displayed that the biomimetic nanowire scaffold could absorb a maximum of about 1.59 KJ energy per square centi-meter by low-speed impact.The minimum tensile strength of one nanowire was 2 GPa.A biomimetic flexible periodontal membrane connection functioning between the natural tooth root and alveolar bone has great potential value for developing advanced artificial dental implants for dental restorations.

Diet reduces the effect of exogenous grit on tooth microwear

Exogenous grit adherent to the surface of food items and food fracture properties have each been considered important factors contributing to pattern and degree of tooth wear in mammals.However,the interactions between these two factors in generating distinctive microwear textures have remained understudied.Here the authors revisit in-vitro results from simulated chewing to explore how adherent grit and physical properties of foods act together to create dental microwear textures on occlusal enamel surfaces.Results suggest that the effect of exogenous grit on microwear texture is dependent on the material properties foods to which they adhere.Grit in the absence of food causes more complex microwear surface textures than foods covered with similar levels and types of grit(for a given number of chews and angle of approach between opposing teeth).Different foods covered in grit also yield different complexity values.Grit-laden,pliant meat,for example,results in a less complex texture than does resistant,grit-laden raw carrot.This work implied that tooth wear assessment can benefit from considering grit load and food material properties together.