Until recently, there had been little attempt in the literature to identify and quantify the underlying mechanics of tooth durability in terms of materials engineering concepts. In humans and most mammals, teeth must endure a lifetime of sustained occlusal mastication—they have to resist fracture and wear. It is well documented that teeth are resilient, but what are the unique features that make this possible? The present article surveys recent materials engineering research aimed at addressing this fundamental question. Elements that determine the mechanics and micromechanics of tooth fracture and wear are analysed: at the macrostructural level, the geometry of the enamel shell and cuspal configuration; and at the microstructural level, interfacial weakness and property gradients. Inferences concerning dietary history in relation to evolutionary pressures are discussed.

直到最近，文献中几乎没有尝试根据材料工程概念来识别和量化牙齿耐久性的基本力学。在人类和大多数哺乳动物中，牙齿必须承受终生持续的咬合咀嚼——它们必须抵抗断裂和磨损。有据可查的是，牙齿具有弹性，但是使这成为可能的独特特征是什么？本文综述了近期旨在解决这一基本问题的材料工程研究。分析了决定牙齿断裂和磨损的力学和微观力学的元素：在宏观结构层面，牙釉质壳的几何形状和牙尖配置；在微观结构层面，界面弱点和性能梯度。