title: Microscopy investigations. Techniques, results, limitations.
abstract: This paper critically reviews current microscopy techniques that are used to image resin-dentin interfaces and more in particular to investigate the process of hybridization and resin-tag formation. A short description of the four most commonly used microscopy techniques with their necessary specimen-preparation methodology is provided along with a discussion of their possibilities, limitations and potential artifact formation. With this critical appraisal on microscopy techniques available to study adhesive interfaces, it is hoped to encourage the use of high-resolution analytical tools to further elucidate the mechanisms of bonding at the ultra-structural level. Besides ultra-morphologic characterization, more research should be devoted to study the chemical and physical properties of resin-dentin bonds. The final objective of such fundamental research should be to establish a more durable and reliable adhesive restorative technique.
authors.affiliation: Dept. Operative Dentistry & Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Oral Pathology and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. bart.vanmeerbeek@med.kuleuven.ac.be
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Van Meerbeek
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perdigão
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lambrechts
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vanherle
mesh_terms: D016477:Artifacts; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003804:Dentin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents