A novel method to quantify dentine tubule occlusion applied to in situ model samples.
OBJECTIVE
To develop an innovative computerised routine, in conjunction with a minimally destructive imaging technique, to quantify dentine tubule occlusion.


METHODS
Polished human dentine samples (n = 480) were brushed during a 4-day in situ study with two occlusion-based dentifrices, a sodium fluoride control dentifrice (1,450 ppm) or water. Samples were imaged with tandem scanning microscopy (TSM) and conventional scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The level of dentine patency was then assessed using a visual ordinal scale ('standard') or quantitatively using a specially designed computational routine.


RESULTS
The occlusion-based dentifrice resulted in significantly less patent dentine than controls for the 'standard' (p = 0.01) assessment, but not for computer analyses (p = 0.10). The correlation of the number of individual patent tubules counted visually and by the computational routine in calibrations and in the in situ study was ≥ 0.8.


CONCLUSIONS
This study identified a new computer-based routine, capable of objectively quantifying the patency of dentine imaged by SEM and TSM.
Department of Prosthodontics, Kings College London Dental Institute, London, UK.
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RC
Olley
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Parkinson
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Wilson
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Moazzez
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Bartlett
D000465:Algorithms; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000494:pharmacology; D003804:Dentin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D057133:Dentin Desensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D015588:Observer Variation; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000494:pharmacology; D012984:Software; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003802:Dentifrices; D057133:Dentin Desensitizing Agents; C510984:NovaMin; D014867:Water; D012969:Sodium Fluoride