Observation of the Resin-dentin Interface Using CLSM

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Conforcal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM) comparing with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for the observation at the resin-dentin interface. Cervical dentin surfaces of 16 extracted human lower premolars were polished. The polished dentin surface was coated belt like with an etching protector, to distinguish the etched and non-etched area. Then the uncoated surface was treated by Single Bond (3M). The specimen was sectioned vertically, and the resin-dentin interface was polished with polishing powder. The resin-dentin interface was observed under CLSM and SEM. It seemed that in case of observing the resin-dentin interface, the advantages of CLSM was easy specimen making and less artifacts, compared to SEM. Observing the interface by CLSM, each layer of the adhesive, dentin and hybrid layer was discriminated clearly. Both observation apparatuses were equivalent in the apparent thickness of the decalcified dentin, thickness of the hybrid layer and distance from the untreated dentin surface to the upper side of the hybrid layer. It could be considered that CLSM is an effective apparatus for the observation and the quantitative measurement of the resin-dentin interfaces.