Micro and nanostructural analysis of a human tooth using correlated focused ion beam (FIB) and transmission Electron microscopy (TEM) investigations.

In this study, natural molar human tooth specimens were investigated for determining their micro- and nanoscale structural morphology, chemistry and crystallinity. The differences were tracked comparatively for both enamel and dentin layers and at their interfaces. Although dental material structures are hard and tough and the cross-sectioning of these materials using mechanical methods is challenging, FIB-SEM dual-beam instruments serve for preparing ultra-thin homogenous lamella sections.

Apical Sealing Ability of a Novel Material: Analysis by Fluid Filtration Technique.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the sealing ability of Biodentine(TM), which is new calcium-silicate based dental cement and has endodontic indications similar to those of MTA.

Methods: The study sample consists of 21extracted human mandibular anterior teeth. The teeth were submitted to root-end preparation and instrumented up to file #40 by step back technique and randomly divided into 3 study groups (n=7): White MTA Angelus(TM) (Angelus, Angelus Odontológica, Londrina, PR, Brazil), Biodentine(TM) (Septodont, SeptodontSpecialités, Saint-MaurdesFosses, France) and the controls.