An improved method with low material loss for the separation of teeth into fractions of differing density

Abstract

The method involves the separation of powdered rat incisor teeth in bromoform/acetone solutions of specific gravity, from 2.80 diminishing by 0.10 of a unit to 1.90. The fractionation was carried out in one 15 ml centrifuge tube modified with a tap at its tapered end. The heavier fraction was run off, and the diminishing residue remained in the tube. Ten fractions were obtained and the total loss of material did not exceed 2 per cent. One gram of powdered tooth is easily handled and fractions as small as 10 mg could be recovered.