Figure 1.

(A) Optical image of a transverse section of a molar displaying an occlusal cavity, (B) reconstructed optical image of the demineralized region of the dentin in the cavity, and (C) AFM image (deflection) of a single dentin tubule from the demineralized region. Aligned collagen fibrils can be observed wrapping around the tubule. (D) Higher resolution AFM image of the exposed collagen in the vicinity of the dentin tubule; the D-banding periodicity of collage can be clearly resolved as presented in (E).

Abbreviation: AFM, atomic force microscopy.