Mathematical Methods of Processing the Results of AFM Scanning

It is well known that the surfaces of different types of teeth are significantly various. In this article the results of AFM scanning of 14 teeth enamel in vitro are reported. It is shown that mathematical processing of the scan results is necessary to obtain objective information about the heterogeneity of the enamel surfaces. A method that allows the results of scanning to be presented as a function of the height distribution of scan points is proposed. The obtained information allowed to introduce the criteria to assess the "smoothness" of the test surface. The criteria also make it possible to assess the possibility of attachment of microorganisms to this surface. The application of the obtained method enables us to make some considerations. The most heterogeneous surface is the lateral surface of the tooth. The "smoothness" of the surface of teeth varies according to the distance from its masticatory surface.