Human dentin and the dentin-resin adhesive interface

Dentin, the inner hard tissue of teeth, is a complex hydrated composite and forms the substrate for much of restorative dentistry. Current efforts to improve restorative and preventive dentistry involve the development of effective bonds to this tissue. Modern bonding techniques involve etching the dentin to remove the mineral portion, leaving a collagen network that can be infiltrated with a monomer and polymerized in place to form a mechanical bond. The objective of this study was to investigate the nature of the interfacial zone. called the resin-dentin interdiffusion zone, using scanning electron microscopy For characterization and thickness measurements, X-ray tomographic microscopy for fracture characteristics and atomic force microscopy for the local modulus and hardness variations. (C) 1998 Acta Metallurgica Inc.