Scanning electron microscopy
Cells on dentine were fixed in 4% glutaraldehyde, dehydrated via graded
alcohol solutions then graded (50% to 100%) hexamethyldisilazane
solutions (Sigma-Aldrich, MO, USA), then air-dried. Dentine slices were
then mounted onto aluminium stubs (EMS, Hatfield, PA, USA), sputtered
with gold, and examined using a scanning electron microscope (Philips
SEM 505, Best, Netherlands).