A new imaging technique for measuring the surface strains applied to dentine

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate possible variation in directional material properties of dentine in relationship to tubule orientation using a new optical imaging technique. Method: The optical imaging technique records photometrically a grid pattern formed by using a transmission electron microscope grid as a template on the polished surface of the dentine. The grid pattern is silhouetted onto the sample surface using standard techniques. Compression (c) and diametral compression (dc) tests were undertaken using a servo hydraulic testing machine (MTS model 810) acting on rectangular blocks of dentine with dimensions 1.5 X 1.0 X 1.0 mm (for c) and cylindrical samples with dimensions 2.1 mm in dia..