Elastic Modulus
A measure of a dental material's stiffness, expressing the ratio of stress to strain within its elastic deformation range.
Full Definition
Elastic modulus, also known as Young's modulus, quantifies how resistant a dental material is to elastic (reversible) deformation under applied stress. A high elastic modulus indicates a stiffer material that deforms less under load. In editorial contexts, it appears in comparisons of restorative materials such as ceramics, metals, and polymers. It is expressed in gigapascals (GPa) and is central to discussions of biomechanical compatibility with tooth structure. Editors should ensure it is not conflated with flexural strength, which measures a material's resistance to fracture rather than its stiffness.
Usage
Usage note: Always expressed in GPa in dental materials literature; editors should flag MPa conversions as potentially erroneous.
In Context
- "The elastic modulus of the ceramic block was recorded at 70 GPa, closely approximating that of natural enamel." — Research article — materials comparison
- "Authors must distinguish between elastic modulus and fracture toughness when describing restorative ceramic behaviour." — Editorial style note — peer-review manuscript