Confocal light microscopic techniques for examining dental operative procedures and dental materials. A status report for the American Journal of Dentistry.

A new form of light microscopy is compared with the current microscopic techniques for examining restorative dental procedures and dental materials. Confocal microscopy enables thin optical sections to be made below the surface of semi-transparent specimens with improved resolution. This paper reviews the different types of confocal microscopes, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the various instruments. It also reviews some of the techniques for specimen preparation and the control of factors influencing image quality.