title: Tooth support in the human mandible.
abstract: Prepared surfaces of anterior portions of dentate human mandibles were serially ground in steps of 0.2 mm and the anatomical features traced. The information was stored in a computer and then reassembled and plotted in colour. The percentage porosity of the bone, together with the width of the periodontal space was calculated. The cortical plates of the mandible appear to provide the major boney support for the anterior teeth, trabecular bone only being present in scant amounts in the periapical areas. The apparently random arrangement of trabeculae does not support the commonly accepted picture of trabeculae aligned to resist the functional loads transmitted by the periodontal ligament.
authors: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Science, University of Melbourne, Australia.
authors: W J
authors: WJ
authors: Ralph
authors: C D
authors: CD
authors: Thomas
mesh_terms: D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008867:Microtomy; D010519:Periodontium / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling