A new technique for exposure of osteocytes and transalveolar fibres of the interdental septum in the mouse for scanning electron microscopy.
The technique selectively removes the fibrous component of the interdental septum. Mandibles were fixed, demineralized and incubated at 37 degrees C in 0.1 per cent bacterial collagenase. Samples were post-fixed in 2 per cent buffered osmium tetroxide for 24 h prior to dehydration in ascending grades of acetones. While in pure acetone, tissue was ultrasonicated at 80 kHz for 5 min and conventionally processed for scanning electron microscopy. Ultrasonication of tissue without prior collagenase digestion did not expose transalveolar fibres in their entirety. After 6 h exposure to collagenase followed by ultrasonication, bone matrix and osteocytes were removed exposing transalveolar fibres which passed through the interdental septum without interruption, becoming continuous with the periodontium of the adjacent tooth.
D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000818:Animals; D006652:Histological Techniques; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D003012:Microbial Collagenase; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010011:Osteocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010519:Periodontium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014465:Ultrasonics
D003012:Microbial Collagenase