The use of fluorescent markers for studying the distribution of a dentine bonding agent between a composite restoration and tooth

Abstract

Labelling of chemically and light activated dentine adhesives with fluorescent labels was used to improve the visualisation of the three dimensional dispersal of components at the tooth-restoration interface. Possible artificial disruption from sectioning a tooth after filling was avoided by placing the restoration after sectioning and using the Tandem Scanning Reflected Light Microscope (TSRLM) to examine structure deep to the section surface. The results show that penetration of the adhesive depended upon the surface finishing technique which had been employed. Chemically activated adhesive spread into the overlying composite resin restoration, thereby highlighting the filler particles and showing their distribution at the interface. This was not apparentwith the light cured material. The technique allowed the comparison of different surface treatments on the same area of a tooth and avoided many of the artefacts due to specimen preparation. The study proves the function and utility of the TSRLM in the fluorescence mode.