Examination of Dentin Surface Using AFM (Our Experience)

Zapletalová, Zdeňka; Kubínek, Roman; Vůjtek, Milan; Novotný, Radko

doi:10.14712/18059694.2018.121

Acta Medica > Archive > 2004, Vol. 47 > Issue 4 > Examination of Dentin Surface Using AFM…

Acta Med. 2004, 47: 343-346

https://doi.org/10.14712/18059694.2018.121

Examination of Dentin Surface Using AFM (Our Experience)

Zdeňka Zapletalová^a, Roman Kubínek^b, Milan Vůjtek^b, Radko Novotný^c

^aPalacky University Olomouc, Faculty of Medicine, 1st Clinic of Dentistry, Olomouc, Czech Republic
^bPalacky University Olomouc, Faculty of Science, Department of Experimental Physics, Olomouc, Czech Republic
^cPalacky University Olomouc, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microscopy Methods, Olomouc, Czech Republic

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) as one the technique of Scanning Probe Microscopy is useful for imaging of surface structure. This method can yield three-dimensional high-resolution topographic images of sample surfaces by using a scanning technique for conductors and insulators on atomic scale. It is based upon mapping of atomic-forces on a surface of an investigated sample. The method is useful not only in physics and chemistry; it can be also applied in biological fields. Special construction of AFM scanner enables to follow biological samples in liquid environments. Artifacts caused by dehydration of samples are removed this way. Dentin of human teeth is a vital hydrated tissue. It is strongly sensitive to dehydration and drying that are commonly used in preparation of samples in examinations by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). We describe our experience in examination of dentin surfaces of extracted human third molars using contact method of AFM under moist conditions.

Keywords

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Dentin, Smear layer.

Funding

This work is supported by the project by IGA no. NK/7710–2/2003 of the Ministry of Health Care of the Czech Republic (Influence of Nd:YAG laser irradiation of cervical dentin of extracted human teeth).