Temperature-dependence of compressive properties of human dentin.

The effect of temperature on compressive stress/strain behavior of human dentin obtained from recently extracted permanent lower molar teeth has been determined over the range 0-80 degrees C. Dentin specimens were loaded uni-axially in a direction perpendicular to the tubule orientation. A statistically significant, linear regression relationship was found between modulus (E) and temperature (T): E (GPa) = 15.55-0.0734 . (T degrees C). The observed temperature coefficient of the modulus is in close agreement with that observed for cortical bone. Proportional limit, compressive strength, and resilience were also found to undergo a linear decrease with increasing temperature. Mechanical failure of specimens generally occurred along lines determined by maximum shear stresses, approximately 45 degrees to the axial load direction.