title: A method for histological examination of undecalcified teeth.
abstract: A method is presented for histological examination of undecalcified ground sections of tooth roots affected with periodontal disease. The roots were placed in Karnovsky's fixative overnight, postfixed in 2% buffered osmic acid, and dehydrated in an ascending series of ethanol. The specimens were then infiltrated with propylene-oxide and Epon-Araldite resin, embedded in Epon-Araldite, and sections were prepared using a cutting and grinding system. The resulting ground sections were 8-12 microns thick. The sections were allowed to air dry at room temperature. When thoroughly dried, a coverglass was applied using resinous mounting medium DPX. The specimens were examined by phase-contrast microscopy. The method is useful for simultaneous examination of mineralized dental tissue and bacterial morphotypes covering the root surface of teeth involved with periodontal disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York, Buffalo.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Crespi
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Grossi
mesh_terms: D006652:Histological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy; D008867:Microtomy; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D014074:Tooth Calcification; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology