OBSERVATION OF THE HUMAN SUPRA-ALVEOLAR FIBER APPARATUS IN THE MAXILLARY ANTERIOR DENTITION USING HORIZONTAL SCANNING

Abstract

This article attempts to describe the characteristics of the human horizontal supra-alveolar fiber apparatus based on multi-format film scanner observation. A biopsy of the tissues was obtained from the maxillary anterior tooth region of a 65-year-old male. The tissue specimen was cut horizontally across the root, 3 μm apart, and 57 specimen slides were prepared in total. These specimen slides were Van Gieson-stained for histological analysis. Each specimen slide was microscopically examined with a multi-format film scanner. The horizontal structure was described based on the classification of Schroeder and Page. The most apical section showed that the semicircular fibers contributed to the transseptal fibers in the interdental gingiva. In the 10th section, the number of transseptal fibers decreased and palatal semicircular fibers were seen extended. The 30th section revealed that circular fibers decussated the transseptal fibers. These results suggest that the multi-format film scanner appears to be useful in observing the horizontal structural differences in the supra-alveolar fiber apparatus of the maxillary anterior dentition.