Abstract
Microradiography of thin sections of dentine taken from a large sample of human teeth revealed a number ot hitherto unknown facts about dentine sclerosis. The light microscopic manifestation of sclerosis, a localized translucency. was seen long before the majority of the tubules were obliterated. A distinction was made between physiological and pathological sclerosis. A smaller percentage of tubules were obliterated in the former, while the latter often exhibited intraluminal mineralization and an apparent hypermineralization of previously existing peritubular matrix and, occasionally, the intratubular contents. Evidence of intertubular hypermineralization was also seen in pathological sclerosis. Little evidence of tubular obliteration was seen in unerupted teeth from older individuals, indicating that the physiological sclerotic process is in some way initiated by the stresses imposed by the oral environment. Contrary to previous findings, peritubular matrix was demonstrated in the predentine—dentine border region. Acid dissolution studies indicated that the central region of the obliterated tubules was the most soluble portion of the matrix while the intertubular matrix was the most acid resistant.
Published Version
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