Objective: This study determined the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of enamel (E), dentin (D) and dentin-enamel junction (DEJ) using the microtensile technique. It was hypothesized that the UTS of dental structures varies according to location and nature.
Methods: Intact occlusal enamel surfaces from extracted human third molars were etched with 37% phosphoric acid and bonded with a one-bottle adhesive system. The bonded occlusal surfaces received a resin composite build-up and teeth were serially, vertically sectioned into several 0.7 mm thick slabs. Each slab was then trimmed to a dumbbell-shaped specimen with irrigated diamond burs to reduce the cross-sectional area to approximately 0.5 mm2 at E, D or DEJ. E was tested according to its prismatic orientation (parallel, EP; and transversally, ET) and D as function of depth (superficial, DS; middle, DM and deep, DD). Specimens were tested in tension in an Instron testing machine at 0.5 mm/min. Results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Duncan's Multiple Range test.
Results: UTS mean values (N = 20) were, MPa (SD): DEJ, 46.9 (13.7)b; EP, 42.1 (11.9)b; ET, 11.5 (4.7)d; DS, 61.6 (16.2)a; DM, 48.7 (16.6)b and DD, 33.9 (7.9)c. Enamel stressed transversally to its prismatic orientation was significantly weaker (p < 0.05) Dentin depth significantly affected its UTS (p < 0.05) DEJ presented UTS that was similar to EP and DM (p > 0.05)
Significance: The UTS of dental structures varies according to its nature and location.