Abstract
Microscopy is a traditional method to perform ex vivo/in vitro dental research. Contemporary microscopic techniques offer the opportunity to observe dental tissues and materials up to nanoscale level. The aim of this paper was to perform a literature review on four microscopic methods, which are widely employed in dental studies concerning the evaluation of resin-dental adhesive interfaces—confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The literature search was performed using digital databases: PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. On the basis of key words relevant to the topic and established eligibility criteria, finally 84 papers were included in the review. Presented microscopic techniques differ in their principle of operation and require specific protocols for specimen preparation. With regard to adhesion studies, microscopy assists in the description of several elements involved in adhesive bonding, as well as in the assessment of the condition of enamel surface and the most appropriate etching procedures. There are several factors determining the quality of the interaction between the substrates which could be recognized and a potential for further implementation of microscopic techniques in dental research could be recognized, especially when these techniques are used simultaneously or combined with spectroscopic methods. Through such microscopy techniques it is possible to provide clinically relevant conclusions and recommendations, which can be easily introduced for enamel-safe bonding and bonding protocols, as well as optimal pretreatments in dentine preparation.
Highlights
This article is an open access article the morphology and modification of dental tissues have been a matter of interest for investigators throughout the centuries, the real onset of dental research began in the mid-1940s [1]
Researchers, searching for an alternative for aggressive acid etching, used confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to observe how acidic monomers in the self-etching primers interact with dental hard tissue [17]
CLSM revealed different post-etching enamel patterns compared to the acid etch technique (AET)
Summary
The morphology and modification of dental tissues have been a matter of interest for investigators throughout the centuries, the real onset of dental research began in the mid-1940s [1]. Studies gained an intensity even including pioneering microscopic research with modern and crucial technology [1]. Microscopy still represents one of the most fundamental techniques in dental laboratory research. Contemporary microscopes use various sources of energy to obtain images and offer incomparably greater magnification and image resolution (Table 1). This gives the opportunity to assess the interface between dental tissues and materials up to nanoscale level
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
