Can Scanning Electron Microscopy be used to quantitatively measure dentine roughness?

Authors

  • Shivaughn Maria Marchan The University of the West Indies, School of Dentistry, Unit of Restorative Dentistry, Mount Hope Medical Complex, Champs Fleurs, Trinidad and Tobago https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1390-8937
  • Marsha Ivey The University of the West Indies, Public Health and Primary Care, Unit of Paraclinical Sciences, Mount Hope Medical Complex, Champs Fleurs, Trinidad and Tobago https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3205-1748
  • Amrita Rajhbeharrysingh The University of the West Indies, School of Dentistry, Unit of Restorative Dentistry, Mount Hope Medical Complex, Champs Fleurs, Trinidad and Tobago https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3604-6794
  • Kelee Bascombe The University of the West Indies, School of Dentistry, Unit of Child Dental Health, Mount Hope Medical Complex, Champs Fleurs, Trinidad and Tobago https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0119-5554

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4322/bds.2024.e4015

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if SEM used with imaging software could be used to quantitatively determine the extent of dentine roughness due to tooth-brushing. Material and methods: Flat, polished dentine surfaces were subjected to 25,000 cycles of simulated tooth-brushing at 2 strokes per second with a load of 200 g. At the end of the brushing cycle, dentine surfaces were first assessed using profilometry and then subjected to SEM analysis. Ra (average roughness) readings were obtained for profilometric assessment. Using imaging software, the horizontal distance between adjacent characteristic grooves noted on micrographs was measured, ensuring that the middle of each crest of the associated groove was used as the reference point, the Crest-to-Crest distance (C-C distance). These two parameters were examined statistically for correlation. Results: When Spearman Rank tests were utilized the correlation between average Ra and crest to crest measurements was 0.709 (p <0.01). The Bland Altman plot, however, showed poor agreement between the two test parameters. Conclusion: Further work is needed to validate the use of this methodology in the quantitative assessment of tooth surface loss due to abrasion.

KEYWORDS

Abrasion; Bland-Altman; Dentine roughness; Profilometry; Scanning electron microscopy.

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Published

2024-01-03

Issue

Vol. 27 No. 1 (2024): Jan - Mar / 2024 - Published Jan 2024

Section

Clinical or Laboratorial Research

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