Electron Microscopy of Mature Human Enamel

Abstract

The structure of mature human enamel was studied under the electron microscope in 2 types of prepns. (1) shadowed collodion replicas of the surfaces of etched ground sections of enamel, and (2) thin sections of demineralized enamel, cut with a rotary microtome equipped with a thermal expansion adapter and glass knives. The principal organic structures observed in both replicas and sections were the prism sheaths and a submicroscopic fibrillar network within and between the prisms. The inorganic portion of the enamel, as studied in replicas, appeared uniformly granular, and it was not possible to demonstrate individual crystal outlines.