Electron Microscopy of Intracellular Mineralization of Oral Filamentous Microörganisms in Vitro

Abstract

Electron microscopy of experimentally calcified oral filamentous microorganisms which were isolated from the dental plaque was carried out. Mineralization occurred in the cytoplasmic area of the bacterial cells, and in the cases of heavy mineralization, the cell wall was covered by crystals as well. The intracellular mineralization seemed to occur independently of the formation of intermicrobial substance and its mineralization. Hydroxyapatite, as the component of the intracellular mineral deposits, was demonstrated by the limited area diffraction method. The study supports the belief that the microorganisms are calcifiable intracellular ly.