High resolution electron microscopy of mineral deposits at the human fissure floor.
The mineral deposits at the fissure floor was investigated using a high resolution electron microscope. Three different shapes of crystals were observed at the floor: the fine pavement-like, plate-like and large crystals. A direct contact between two different shapes of crystals was recognized in high resolution images. Selected area electron diffractions indicated that the fine crystals consisted of hydroxyapatite (OH-AP), the plate-like crystals were a mixture of OH-AP and whitlockite, and the large crystals were mainly whitlockite. These findings indicate that a natural occlusion at the fissure floor might occur through mineral deposition although contact boundaries of crystals had an intricate configuration.
Hayashi
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Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Kyushu University 61, Fukuoka, Japan.
D003460:Crystallization; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008964:Molar, Third