Bone and Teeth, Properties of

Abstract

Bone has a variety of functions in the body of which some of the most important are structural in nature: protection of vulnerable body parts, support of the body, and to provide muscle attachments. A knowledge of the mechanical and adaptive properties of bone is useful in the design and use of prostheses that replace a bone or a portion of a bone. Mechanical properties of bone are also of interest in trauma biomechanics and in efforts to prevent injury to the body. As for teeth, they also are replaced by artificial materials which are called upon to perform the mechanical functions of the original tooth. This article contains a survey of known properties of bone and teeth and their components collagen and apatite, with an emphasis on bone and its mechanical properties.