Studies on the human enamel crystals

I. Ultrastructure

Abstract

The present study describes the basic structural features obtained using high-resolution electron microscopy from sections of adult human enamel.
The materials used for this study were the middle layer of normal enamel from freshly extracted human permanent molars. Small cubes, about 1mm in length were cut from the middle enamel layer of the buccal surfaces of the molars using a dental diamond disk.
The cubes of enamel were fixed in glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide, and embedded in epoxy resin.
The ultra-thin sections were cut nearly parallel to the enamel surface through the middle layer of enamel with a diamond knife without decalcification.
High-resolution electron microscopy of sectioned crystals from human enamel is capable of revealing a representation of their atomic image, when care is taken to section the crystals in a precise orientation in relation to the direction of the lattice planes.