Three-dimensional visualization of dentine occlusion based on FIB-SEM tomography

The occlusion of dentinal tubules has become a rapid and effective method for treating dentin hypersensitivity. Accurate evaluation of dentin occlusion is critical to illustrate the efficacy of oral care products and to optimize dental therapy in the clinics, which is limited by the conventional two-dimensional (2-D) characterization methods. Here, we demonstrate the visualization of the dentin occlusion via three-dimensional (3-D) characterization using a focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) tomography. Using the Slice and View approach, the material used for occluding dentin tubules is imaged with a very high-resolution voxel (10 nmx10 nmx20 nm) from 2-D SEM images and then reconstructed into a 3-D volume, which presents the mode of action of toothpaste for treating dentin hypersensitivity. Meanwhile, quantitative analysis of the depth of occlusion is successfully obtained. This work validates the feasibility of FIB-SEM tomography in the analysis of dentin occlusion within the complicated networks of dentine tubules at the nanoscale, and provides a novel approach to facilitate the research and development of oral care products.

Automated summary

Visualization of dentin occlusion and quantitative analysis of the depth of occlusion using focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy tomography provide a novel approach for evaluating oral care products and optimizing dental therapy.