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Scanning electron microscopic, light microscopic and microradiographic study of giant tubules in bovine dentin
Author(s) -
DYNGELAND TROND,
FOSSE GISLE
Publication year - 1986
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.1600-0722.1986.tb01766.x
Subject(s) - dentinal tubule , dentin , odontoblast , pulp (tooth) , scanning electron microscope , anatomy , enamel paint , chemistry , electron microscope , dentinogenesis , polarized light microscopy , materials science , dentistry , composite material , biology , medicine , optics , physics
— Giant tubules (GT) in the axiomesiodistal plane of the incisal dentin of 21 unerupted permanent incisors of 1/2—2‐yr‐old calves were studied by scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy and contact microradiography. A technique is described by which the incisal dentin was split along the axiomesiodistal plane exposing the GT lumina longitudinally for SEM study. The luminal organic content was carefully removed mechanically or chemically. The GT originated 50–250 μm underneath the incisal dentino‐enamel junction and converged pulpally, terminating in the incisal edge of the pulp. A confluence of adjacent tubules towards the pulp was seen. Each GT had a relatively constant diameter along its length, in the range of 10–50 μm. The dentinal tubules circumvented the GT origins and pursued a straight course pulpally, parallell to the characteristic wall zone surrounding each GT. Very few dentinal tubules entered the GT lumen at any level. The luminal lining along the larger part of the GT consisted of collagen fibrils forming a criss‐cross pattern, while the most pulpal part was lined by a smooth organic sheath. The GT walls at any transversal level within one tooth had a lower mineral content than the circnmpulpal dentin between them. It was concluded that the GT formation is not caused by crowding of the odontoblasts.