Serially etched shark enameloid observed by incident light microscopy.

Abstract

Longitudinal and transverse tooth sections of Isurus oxyrinchus were serially etched in 2.6% nitric acid. The changing optical properties of the etched surfaces were observed during the serial etchings, and the descent of the enameloid surfaces was measured. Shark enameloid seems to be less effectively etched by acid than human enamel; this difference may be due to differences in solubility between fluorapatite and hydroxyapatite. Most of the information regarding the structure of the enameloid was gained during the first five of ten etchings. The reflection of light from the surface was influenced by the orientation of the crystallites, longitudinally sectioned crystallites reflecting the light better than transversely sectioned crystallites. The dentinal extensions were continuous with and of the same structure as the underlying dentine. The radial fibers originated from the dentinal extensions, and they both contained organic material and were accompanied by crystallites. When the specimens were imbibed with water the distinctness of the dentinal extensions and radial fibers was improved.