title: Scanning Electron Microscopic Study on the Fibrillar Structures within Dentinal Tubules of Human Dentin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pulp biology is central to the whole tooth, and knowledge on its microstructure is changing with new studies. This study presents certain microfibrillar structures found within the dentin tubules of human teeth connecting dentin tubules and odontoblastic processes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the crowns of 30 noncarious, human teeth. They were fixed; demineralized; and, later, processed and reviewed by means of scanning electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the predentin layer, we found numerous fine fibrillar structures connecting the odontoblastic process and the wall of the dentinal tubule. In the inner dentinal third, we observed structures forming a dense microfibrillar network of variable thickness and diameters. These microstructures were very thin and numerous in this area, and their number decreased as more external dentin levels were examined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the review of the literature and our findings, these microfibrillar structures may be an unrecognized support system that holds and secures the odontoblastic process within the dentinal tubule.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Oral Pathology Laboratory, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Maricela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garcés-Ortíz
authors.affiliation: Clinical Oral Pathology Laboratory, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico. Electronic address: cledezma@unam.mx.
authors.forename: Constantino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ledesma-Montes
authors.affiliation: New Materials Laboratory, Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reyes-Gasga
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003804:Dentin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D020894:Microfibrils / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009805:Odontogenesis; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dentin; dentinal tubules; microfibrils; micromembranes; odontoblastic process