Transmission electron microscopic characterization of hypersensitive human radicular dentin.

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray microanalysis (XMA) were used for the study of the ultrastructure of the lumens of dentinal tubules in superficial layers of dentin specimens obtained by use of a new biopsy technique from both hypersensitive and naturally desensitized areas of exposed root surfaces, in vivo. The TEM images showed clearly that the lumens of most of the tubules were occluded with mineral crystals in naturally desensitized areas, but such lumens were empty and surrounded with peritubular and intertubular dentin in hypersensitive areas. Moreover, electron-dense structures that lined peritubular dentin were observed in the empty lumens of dentinal tubules.

Distribution of fluoride across cementum, dentine and alveolar bone in rats.

This study was undertaken to determine the fluoride distribution in cementum and neighboring hard tissues of the rat after different levels of fluoride administration via the drinking water. Specimens of cementum with underlying dentine and adjacent bone were removed from the distal roots of the first lower molars. The fluoride distribution in each specimen was determined in samples removed sequentially using an abrasive microsampling technique. Fluoride concentrations were highest at or near the surface and decreased towards the interior of cementum, dentine and alveolar bone in both control and experimental groups. With increasing fluoride intake, concentrations increased throughout the tissue. The distribution patterns of fluoride in cementum of contralateral teeth from the same animal were similar. Fluoride concentrations in cementum were higher than those of dentine and alveolar bone.

Maturation of bone and dentin matrices in rats flown on the Soviet biosatellite Cosmos 1887.

We have studied the chemistry, hydroxyapatite crystal size, and maturational changes in bone and dentin from rats exposed to microgravity for 12 days in a Soviet biosatellite (Cosmos 1887). Bone ash was reduced in vertebrae (L5) but not in the non-weight-bearing calvaria or mandibles. All tissues had a relatively normal percentage composition of Ca, P, and Mg. Nevertheless, flight rat calvaria and vertebral tissues tended to exhibit lower Ca/P and higher Ca/Mg ratios that any of their weight-matched controls groups, and gradient density analysis (calvaria) indicated a strong shift to the fractions lower specific gravity that was commensurate with impaired rates of matrix-mineral maturation. X-ray diffraction data were confirmatory. Bone hydroxyapatite crystal growth in the mandibles of flight rats was preferentially altered in such a way as to reduce their size (C-axis dimension). But in the mandibular diastemal region devoid of muscle attachments, flight rat bone and dentin were normal with respect to the Ca, P, Mg, and Zn concentrations and Ca/P and Ca/Mg ratios of age-matched controls. These observations affirm the concept that while microgravity most adversely affects the maturation of newly formed matrix and mineral moieties in weight-bearing bone, such effects occur throughout the skeleton.

X-ray microanalytical histochemistry of human circumpulpar and mantle dentine.

An X-ray microanalytical histochemistry study was carried out, on thick sections observed under scanning electron microscopy, of five freshly extracted human premolars and five molars. In particular the circumpulpar and mantle dentine were examined to determine levels of calcium, phosphorus and sulphur, the basic elements involved in the process of biomineralization. Semiquantitative analysis was subsequently performed after the appropriate ZAF (Z, atomic number; A, absorption; F, secondary fluorescence) correction. Ca/P mass ratio was found to be similar for both regions in molars and slightly higher in circumpulpar dentine in premolars implying that this parameter is independent of the processes of biomineralization in the two dentinal regions. In contrast, statistically significant differences were recorded in sulphur content upon comparing mantle and circumpulpar dentine between premolars and molars (P less than 0.02). If sulphur, which has been associated with sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) decreases as mineralization progresses it would therefore seem reasonable to posit sulphur-rich areas in both topographical regions of the matrix--more significant in premolars than molars--able to undergo subsequent mineralization if required. The possible application of these findings in remineralization therapies is suggested.

Mineral induction by immobilized polyanionic proteins.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mineral induction capacity in vitro of polyanionic proteins covalently bound to a surface. Rat dentin gamma-carboxyglutamate-containing protein of the osteocalcin type (Gla-protein), proteoglycan (PG), and phosphoprotein (PP-H), as well as phosvitin (PhV) and bovine serum albumin (BSA), were covalently linked to agarose beads. There were incubated at 37 degrees C in solutions with a Ca/P molar ratio of 1.67, [Ca][P] molar products in the range 1.0-1.8 mM2, and an ionic strength of 0.165. The incubations were performed at constant pH and composition conditions; no spontaneous precipitation occurred under these conditions. Mineral formation, as monitored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), was induced by all immobilized polyanions, including enzymatically dephosphorylated PP-H and PhV. No mineral was induced by BSA. The mineral inductive capacity of immobilized polyanionic proteins, as judged by the SEM after identical incubations, was found to differ between the different ligands. The mineral induced by PP-H and PG was shown by X-ray diffraction to be apatitic. It was concluded that, although polyanionic proteins in solution may inhibit mineral induction and growth, very minute quantities of such molecules, when immobilized on a surface, induce mineral at physiological concentrations of calcium and phosphate ions. The data presented may be taken to suggest that PP-H and PG, and perhaps other polyanions, may possibly be responsible for mineral nucleation in dentin and bone. The results, however, also point to the rather limited specificity in this type of reaction.

[Energy dispersive X-ray analysis of human deciduous teeth dentin].

Human deciduous molars were ground and polished in order to be examined by an analytical electron microscopy. An energy dispersive X-ray analysis system attached with a scanning electron microscope was used to analyze the teeth dentin both qualitatively and quantitatively. Calcium and phosphorus and also magnesium could be detected in the intertubular dentin of their teeth. The calcium content of the interglobular dentin was lower than those of the other part of dentin. The magnesium content was almost 4% (atomic %). The magnesium content in the dentin was higher than those in the enamel and cementum of the same specimen. It was suggested that some magnesium was contained in the dentin crystal structure.

Comparative study of the composition of primary and secondary dentine.

There is considerable variation in the composition of primary and secondary dentine. In general, secondary deposits, regardless of type, contain less calcium, phosphorous, and collagenous matrix per unit volume when compared to primary dentine. Fluoride levels show the reverse tendency. These observations suggest a more open, porotic structure for secondary deposits.

A scanning electron microscopy and electron probe X-ray microanalysis (SEM-EPMA) of pink teeth.

Samples of postmortem pink teeth were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and electron probe X-ray microanalysis. Fracture surfaces of the dentin in pink teeth were noticeably rough and revealed many more smaller dentinal tubules than those of the control white teeth. Electron probe X-ray microanalysis showed that the pink teeth contained iron which seemed to be derived from blood hemoglobin. The present study confirms that under the same circumstance red coloration of teeth may occur more easily in the teeth in which the dentin is less compact and contains more dentinal tubules.

Dentine hypersensitivity. I. Effects produced by the uptake in vitro of metal ions, fluoride and formaldehyde onto dentine.

Dentine has been shown to possess affinity for a large number of varied compounds, many of which have been shown effective in clinical trials, for the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity. The mode of action of these compounds is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the uptake of metal ions, fluoride and formaldehyde in solution onto dentine in vitro and determine whether therapeutic effects could be mediated through occlusion of dentinal tubules. Etched dentine sections were exposed for 1 h to 1000 ppm solutions of fluoride and metal salts. Levels of fluoride and respective metals could be extracted and measured from the specimens. Saliva pretreatment had a variable but small effect on uptake of each ion, but post treatment washings reduced all levels of retained fluoride and metals. X-ray microanalysis indicated surface or immediate subsurface deposits of metals. However, surface changes were only consistently produced by zinc and more particularly tin salts. Both zinc and tin salts produced covering or obturation of tubules. The surface effects of zinc could largely be reversed by washing, but not those of tin. Formaldehyde alone or in the presence of saliva produced no effects. A 4-week study involving twice daily exposure of specimens to saliva and fluoride, metals or formaldehyde yielded essentially the same results. It is unlikely that, except for tin, the compounds tested achieve their apparent clinical effects mediated by direct occlusion of dentinal tubules.

Structural deformities of deciduous teeth in patients with hypophosphatemic vitamin D-resistant rickets.

Structural deformities of deciduous teeth from patients with hypophosphatemic vitamin D-resistant rickets (HVDRR) (1 male and 2 female patients) were examined by means of transmitted light microscopy, contact microradiography, and x-ray microanalysis. Freshly extracted teeth were fixed in formalin and subsequently hemisected longitudinally through the midline. One half was prepared for ground sections and the other half for decalcified sections. Neither gross nor microscopic abnormalities were present in enamel of patients with HVDRR. The concentration of calcium and phosphorus and the calcium/phosphorus ratio of the enamel of patients with HVDRR were nearly equal to those of normal teeth, although the degree of radiopacity was less in HVDRR. On the other hand, numerous microscopic abnormalities in the dentin of patients with HVDRR were found, such as interglobular dentin, wide predentin zones, and tubular defects. The concentration of phosphorus in the dentin of a patient with familial HVDRR was extremely low. Furthermore, formation of reparative dentin was observed at the pulp horn of teeth in patients with HVDRR that had been subjected to definite attrition at the corresponding dentin site.

Structural and microanalytical changes in dentition after radiotherapy applied in cases of tumour in the oral cavity region.

Morphological observations by means of the scanning electron and optical microscopes as well as microanalytical qualitative and quantitative tests concerning content and distribution of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in the teeth being in irradiation field were made in patients treated for larynx cancer by methods of radiotherapy. The teeth enamel was in some places thinner and in some others it was lacking. The characteristic defects took place in the form of notches, cracks and of superficial destruction. In X-ray microanalyser the enamel showed some features of demineralization. In dentine, features of demineralization and on the other hand features of remineralization were seen. The root dentin, in which destructive processes but also reparation processes developed by root cement could be seen, was rather characteristic. Clear structural changes and disturbances of mineralization in hard tooth tissues being under therapeutic X-ray irradiation were observed.

Effects of acid-base status and fluoride on the composition of the mineral in developing enamel and dentine in the dog.

Developing molar teeth of the dog were sectioned, embedded in copper containing polymethyl methacrylate, polished and their Ca/P and Ca/Na molar ratios investigated with the electron microprobe. The teeth were obtained at 30 days from 9 pups fed regimes of different acid-base status with or without fluoride supplementation from birth to sacrifice at 30 days. No clear trends in their Ca/P or Ca/Na ratios with variation in the diet were observed. However, evaluation of the Ca/P ratio of the enamel as a function of depth revealed that this ratio was 0.80 +/- 0.15 at the mineralization front. This suggests that in enamel brushite rather than octacalcium phosphate is the precursor phase of the mineral.

Electron probe study of coronal dentin in red deer.

A topographic description of the concentration profiles of Ca, P, Mg, Zn, F, S and K in coronal dentin of red deer is given. The concentrations reported should be regarded as semiquantitative values. An area along the mesiodistal axis of the crowns showed lower concentrations of Ca and P and higher concentrations of Mg than the surrounding bulk of dentin. The inner dentin revealed downward slopes of the Ca, P and Mg profiles toward the pulpal cavity, whereas the Zn, F and usually also the S profiles showed elevations. Incidental findings were elevations of S and K profiles near the worn incisal edges. The walls of giant tubules, which are frequent in red deer dentin, showed in many cases modest elevations of the Ca, P, Mg and Zn profiles. The lumina of these tubules revealed in a few instances elevation of the S profiles.