SEM and TEM Analysis of Water Degradation of Human Dentinal Collagen

Recently several long-term studies have reported evidence of the hydrolytic degradation of collagen fibrils based on fractured surface observations after bond testing. Those studies suggested that one cause of the decline in the bond strength was the degradation of the collagen fibrils within the bonds. However, one concern has been raised that the dentinal collagen fibrils may be stable in water that does not contain oral bacteria or enzymes. Therefore, the present study aimed to clarify the micromorphological change in naked collagen fibrils after 500 days of water storage. To prepare exposed collagen fibrils, sectioned and polished human dentin surfaces were acid conditioned for 15 s with the use of two commercially available acid conditioners: All-Etch (10% phosphoric acid) and Uni-Etch (32% phosphoric acid) (Bisco, Inc.). Those specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 °C for 1 day (control) for 500 days. After the storage periods, the samples were examined with the use of SEM and TEM. Under SEM and TEM examination, micromorphological alterations (disarrangement of collagen web, widening the interfibrillar space, and the thinning diameter of collagen fibrils) were found in the specimens after 500 days in water.