Enamel Microcracks Induced by Simulated Occlusal Wear in Mature, Immature, and Deciduous Teeth

Figure 1

Detection of subsurface microcracks with different imaging techniques. A scanning microscope was used to detect and capture details and profile of the surface microcracks. Subsurfaces microcracks (those that did not reach the surface and were not detected by the scanning microscope as shown on the microcrack depth profile) were detected by a stereomicroscope with different directions of illumination/transillumination using fiber-optic lights. Images obtained by different imaging techniques were traced, measured, and analyzed. CLM: colored laser microscope. STM: stereomicroscope. 3D: three-dimensional construction of the surface and profile of one of the surface microcracks (the schematic presentations of the surface microcracks are in red, tracings of the subsurface microcrack are in blue, for explanatory purposes only; arrows indicate microcracks positions).