title: Using an Electron Scanning Microscope to Assess the Penetrating Abilities of an Experimental Preparation with Features of a Dental Infiltrant: Preliminary Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The resin infiltration technique is one of the micro-invasive methods whose aim is the penetration of demineralized enamel with a low viscosity resin. This technique allows the dentist to avoid the application of mechanical means of treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this preliminary study was to attempt to determine the possibilities of using an electron microscope to assess the penetrating abilities of an experimental preparation with features of a dental infiltrant and to compare the depth of infiltration of the designed experimental preparation with an infiltrant available on the market.
  
  
  METHODS
  A bioactive methacrylate monomer based on PMMAn with built-in metronidazole was synthesized. The commercially available Icon solution (with contrast agent YbF3) and the experimental solution were applied to the relevant parts of teeth. The dissected sections along the long tooth axis and polished surfaces were then examined with use of an electron scanning microscope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The backscattered electron technique gives much better results than the secondary electron method as it makes it possible to localize even very small YbF3 particles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors concluded that the backscattered electron technique gives much better results than the secondary electron method as it makes it possible to localize even very small particles of the contrast agent. In order to prevent blockage of decalcified enamel tissue by ytterbium trifluoride (YbF3) grains, a nanoparticle form of that compound should be used (that is, particles with sizes in the range of 10-9 m).
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry with Endodontics, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Bytom, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skucha-Nowak
authors.affiliation: Chair and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mertas
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry with Endodontics, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Bytom, Poland.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanasiewicz
mesh_terms: D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000032:analysis*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D014465:Ultrasonics; D015018:Ytterbium / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D003764:Dental Materials; C102799:ytterbium fluoride; D015018:Ytterbium; D005459:Fluorides
keywords: electron scanning microscope; experimental infiltrants; microinvasive dentistry; ytterbium trifluoride