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The occlusal fissure of unerupted third molars as an experimental caries model in man
Author(s) -
FEJERSKOV O.,
SILNESS J.,
KARRING T.,
LÖE H.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
european journal of oral sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.802
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1600-0722
pISSN - 0909-8836
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0722.1976.tb00472.x
Subject(s) - molar , fissure , dentistry , orthodontics , geology , medicine , paleontology
— The aim of the present Investigation was to establish an experimental model for the study of fissure caries development under conditions as similar as possible to the in vivo situation. Twenty‐one blocks (2×2×3 mm) constituting part of the occlusal fissure were made from unerupted human third molars, and implanted for 60 or 90 d in mandib‐ular molars of students. One milliliter of a 50 70 sucrose solution was applied to the fis‐sures twice a day. After removal, sections were examined microradiographically in polarized light and in the electron microscope As a control, the morphology and enamel structure of fissures from 10 unerupted third molars were studied. After 90 d a subsurface, radiolucent caries‐like lesion was observed in two specimens only. When examined in air in polarized light, however, all sections exhibited caries‐like lesions symmetrically located around the fis‐sures. The 60‐d material showed similar lesions, but not as frequently as the 90‐d speci‐mens. In the control material, half of the specimens demonstrated subsurface lesions as well. The experimental material processed for electron microscopy revealed that the fissure plaque mainly consisted of cocci and small rods. Most often the bacteria were separated from the enamel surface by a pellicle.