Periodic lattice images of hydroxyapatite crystals in human bone and dental hard tissues

Abstract

In the electron microscope, a repeating pattern of minute striations has been observed within hydroxapatite crystals. This fringe pattern can be explained as projections of planes of atoms or molecules on the image plane with a periodicity equal to the spacing between these planes in the crystal lattice. Previous studies have reported a pattern of 8.2 A repeat periods in hexagonal crystals of young rat enamel, representing the resolution of the 100 planes of the hydroxyapatite crystal lattice. In the present study, fringe patterns were demonstrated in crystals of human enamel, dentin, cementum, and bone tissue. When the incident electron beam was parallel to thec axis, the three sets of equivalent lattice planes parallel to this axis could be resolved simultaneously. Even those crystals which had an unusual external form showed a substructure that consisted of arrays of straight lines. Defects of the fringe pattern indicating dislocations or stacking faults in the crystal lattice were occasionally observed, in particular near the midline of the crystals. Thus, it appears possible to demonstrate visually not only variations in crystal size and shape but also the presence of lattice defects within individual apatite crystals. By high resolution electron microscopy it may prove possible to correlate the crystallinity of bone and tooth apatites to the fine structure of these tissues in normal and pathological conditions.