The AFM data have shown that there are distinct changes in cell-surface topology and cytoskeleton arrangement in cells following treatment with mechanical forces. The AFM imaging and dynamic tensile forces may help overcome the effect of inflammatory factors on chondrocyte response.38 Dental Application of AFM Microscopes Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical have opened a new window on the field of dental sciences. Among them, the AFM modality is a novel technique which can image not only non-living surfaces but also living cells and dynamic environments. Endodontic diseases are very common currently. In the field of obturation, appropriate fitting of gutta-percha

within the canal walls is extremely important. The AFM can be employed to study

the gutta-percha cone check details topography and offer a powerful new tool to evaluate the characterization of the gutta-percha cone surfaces directly. Caroline et al.39 studied the topography of the apical portion of four different types of gutta-percha, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical using the lateral force Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical mode of the AFM. Dental caries are a very common disease nowadays. Dental caries are due to biofilm formation and colonization of bacteria, mostly Streptococci Mutans, in dental plaques. Sara et al.40 studied the surface-function of the biofilm-forming Streptococcus Mutans, which is the primary etiological agent in human dental caries. The AFM is a powerful microscope for a high-resolution examination of the salivary pellicle surface structure in its native (hydrated) state. It avoids artifacts due to fixing and dehydration which occur with scanning electron microscopic analyses. Hanging et al.41 Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical designed an AFM study to examine the surface of the adsorbed layer of salivary proteins (salivary pellicle) formed in vivo on dental enamel and glass surfaces. Acid-etching is a technique used to make micro porosities in enamel and dentine surfaces for micromechanical adhesion of composites. In a new study by Sanchesea et al.42 Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical characterization of bovine enamel and dentine after acid-etching was imaged with the AFM. El Feninata et al.43 used the tapping mode

of the AFM in order to study collapse and denaturation in dentinal collagen. Demineralization of human enamel will cause formation of dental caries. Mechanical properties of in aminophylline situ demineralized human enamel can be measured with the nanoindentation of the AFM.44 Fluoride therapy is a protective technique to avoid dental caries in children. Effects of fluoride treatment on phosphoric acid-etching in primary teeth were studied by Chot et al.45 via the contact mode of the AFM. One of the most important fields of modern dentistry is implantology. The AFM can be drawn upon as a tool for testing the biocompatibility of implant materials by investigating the adhesion behavior of osteoblast cells in vitro.