Analysis of Enamel Rod End Pattern at Different Levels of Enamel and its Significance in Ameloglyphics

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determining the thickness of enamel showing similar enamel rod end patterns, and extrapolating our study results to estimate the duration of time takes to change into the subsequent pattern due to in vivo brushing and its significance in ameloglyphics. Eighteen maxillary left first premolars were used in this study. Of these, three teeth were used to select appropriate abrasive paper among 80-, 400-, 600-grit silicon carbide abrasive papers and five teeth were used to check reliability of the selected abrasive paper. Ten teeth were used to analyze enamel rod end patterns. The patterns were analyzed at an interval of 1 μm thickness of enamel from the tooth surface till the change of third set of pattern to its subsequent pattern. Our study showed 600-grit silicon carbide abrasive paper abrades 1 μm thickness of enamel upon one rotation in microtome. Biometric analysis of enamel rod end patterns obtained from 10 extracted teeth revealed that 10%, 60% and 30% of enamel rod end patterns were similar up to 3 μm, 4 μm and 5 μm depth of enamel, respectively. In this study, 3-5 μm thickness of enamel showed similar enamel rod end pattern. On extrapolation our study results with earlier literature revealed that each enamel rod end pattern takes approximately 4-6 years to change into the subsequent pattern due to in vivo brushing. So, the enamel rod end pattern should record for at least every 4 years during its practical application.