CONCERNING THE "VITALITY" OF THE CALCIFIED DENTAL TISSUES

IV. THE VITAL STAINING OF HUMAN DENTAL ENAMEL

¹ School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Columbia University, New York, N. Y.

Evidence on the basis of the vital staining of teeth shows that: 1. the dentin is permeated by a fluid termed the dental lymph originating from the dental pulp; 2. the dental lymph passes not only through the dentinal tubules but also into the enamel by way of the tufts, lamellae, rod sheaths and cement substance; 3. the depth of penetration into the enamel depends on the age of the tooth. The enamel of a recently erupted tooth is far more permeable than that of a matured tooth; 4. one of the oldest of living mammals, the marsupial, has a highly permeable enamel. The enamel of man, on the other hand, has the lowest permeability.