[Interference microscopy of human dental enamel at various age periods]

Arkh Anat Gistol Embriol. 1988 Aug;95(8):68-72.
[Article in Russian]

Abstract

Investigation of the human tooth enamel by means of interference contrast makes it possible to reveal certain peculiarities of the prismatic structure in various age groups. For example, in children the enamel has specific porosity of the superficial layers, that is peculiar for teeth with a delayed eruption. With age the enamel becomes more "homogeneous", amount and size of the pores decrease, aprismatic areas in the superficial layer are found more often. Erased teeth are characterized with formation of microdefects, destruction of prisms on the enamel surface and at the same time with increased mineralization of the subsuperficial layer. Thus, age changes of the enamel are of adaptive character--consolidation of structural elements promotes increasing resistivity of the teeth to influence of pathological factors.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aging / pathology*
  • Child
  • Dental Enamel / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Interference
  • Middle Aged