The human dentinal tubule and its associated odontoblast process : A scanning electron microscope study

Date
1985
DOI
Authors
Pannkuk, Terrell F.
Version
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
The following study was designed to explore the controversy surrounding the nature of the contents of the human dentinal tubules. Freshly extracted human third molars were gathered and subjected to one of five techniques prior to examination with the scanning electron microscope. The results exemplified the effect of procedure variation upon the observed tubule conĀ­ tents, artifacts, and the spatial arrangement of structures. The photomicrographs revealed tubule contents that were consistent with the odontoblast process, the hypomineralized lining of pertibular dentin, dendritic neuronal processes, and collagen; and these structures were evident through the entire thickness of dentin in the root and crown. Unusual "grape-like" clusters in the outer third of dentin were found to be consistent with vesicular outbudding of cell processes. Positive identification of tubular contents requires methodology different from that currently used in scanning electron microscopy.
Description
Thesis (M.Sc.D.)--Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry. Dept. of Endodontics, 1985.
Includes bibliographic references: leaves 235-261.
License
This work is being made available in OpenBU by permission of its author, and is available for research purposes only. All rights are reserved to the author.