The Organic Elements of the Enamel

Abstract

Caries-free deciduous molars, extracted just prior to exfoliation, were simultaneously fixed and decalcified in a 5% trichloroacetic acid-formalin soln at low temp. (1[degree]C), prepared for paraffin sections and stained with several standard stains. It was found that the organic framework has a pattern of its own in the regions of the neonatal and other incremental lines, consisting of a number of denser zones along contemporarily formed prism sheaths. The existence of these organic structures is believed to explain satisfactorily the morph. appearance of the incremental lines of the enamel, whether they be accentuated or not, and whether they be viewed in decalcified sections or in ordinary ground sections.