IADR Abstract Archives

In-Vitro Detection of Fluid Flow through Human Dentine

Objective: When enamel erodes or gums recede, dentine becomes exposed. Once exposed, fluid flows outward, via the dentine tubule structure, into the oral cavity. This fluid flow increases in response to external stimuli, which leads to a pressure change within the tubule. Key to the development of new ‘targeted' treatments for hypersensitivity is a fundamental understanding for this so-called transduction mechanism at the sub-micron scale. This talk details the use of two techniques to detect fluid flow through human dentine at the local, micron scale level.

Method: Two techniques have been developed to monitor fluid flow through coronal dentine: 1.Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and 2.Laser-Scanning Confocal Microscopy (LSCM). Coronal dentine was obtained from human third molars and polished successively down to 2400 grit. All specimens were etched (2 min 10%w/w citric acid) prior to use.

Results: In this study LSCM and SECM have been successfully employed to image fluid flow through dentine tubules, and to observe the effect of the brushing process and the presence of an occlusion active on this flow. SECM and LSCM images showing fluid flow through human dentine were obtained with sub-micron spatial resolution. Furthermore, contour plots and images obtained using both techniques reveal regions of inhomogeneous flow across the surface of dentine. These images were used in combination with pressure data to analyse the effects of occlusional actives, and the brushing process itself, on this flow.

Conclusion: SECM and LSCM have been shown to be powerful, high-resolution imaging techniques for the measurement of local solution velocities through dentine slices, in vitro, and for evaluating the potential of novel occlusional actives.


Pan European Federation Meeting
2006 Pan European Federation Meeting (Dublin, Ireland)
Dublin, Ireland
2006
183
Scientific Groups
  • Williams, Cara G.  ( University of Warwick, Coventry, N/A, United Kingdom )
  • Macpherson, Julie V.  ( University of Warwick, Coventry, N/A, United Kingdom )
  • Unwin, Patrick R.  ( University of Warwick, Coventry, N/A, United Kingdom )
  • Parkinson, Charles Richard  ( GlaxoSmithKline, Weybridge, N/A, United Kingdom )
    • Oral Session
    BSDR Junior Colgate Award, BSDR Senior Colgate Award
    09/14/2006