title: Observation of human dentine by focused ion beam and energy-filtering transmission electron microscopy.
abstract: Molar dentine was sliced into 100 nm ultrathin sections, by means of a focused ion beam, for observation by energy-filtering transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM). Within the matrix, crystals approximately 10 nm wide and 50-100 nm long were clearly observed. When carbon and calcium were mapped in electron spectroscopic images by EFTEM, carbon failed to localize in crystals. However, it was found in other regions, especially those adjacent to crystals. Because carbon localizations were thought to reflect the presence of organic components, carbon concentration in regions near crystals suggested the interaction of crystals and organics, leading to organic control of apatite formation and growth. Ca was present in almost all regions. The majority of Ca localizing in regions other than crystals may be bound to organic substances present in dentine matrix. These substances are thought to both accumulate Ca and act as reservoirs for crystallization of apatite in dentine.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Oral Anatomy, Niigata University, Faculty of Dentistry, 2-5274, Gakkocho-dori, Niigata, 951-8514, Japan. pochi@dent.niigata-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoshi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ejiri
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Probst
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Seybold
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamino
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yaguchi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yamahira
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ozawa
mesh_terms: D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003804:Dentin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D007477:Ions; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D007477:Ions; D002244:Carbon; D002118:Calcium