We conducted an investigation into the nature of dentine mineralization and mechanical property gradients with the aid of experimental techniques such as the fluoroscopic X-ray microanalysis and instrumented microindentation, respectively. It was found that the tooth adapts to a complex structure with significant gradients in properties. We observed a significant correlation between the degree of mineralization within the dentine and the mechanical properties. The natural gradation in mechanical properties is explained by the stress analysis within anatomical-sized tooth specimens done using digital photoelasticity. These results are explained within the context of the functional requirements that are imposed on the tooth. This study highlights tooth structure as a biologically adapted, functionally graded material.
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