AN ACQUIRED PIGMENTED PELLICLE OF THE ENAMEL SURFACE

I. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

¹ The Division of Dental Research and The Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, N. Y.

Organic coverings of tooth enamel may be divided into 2 main classes: anatomical structures, and acquired plaques or films. The anatomical, known as Nasmyth's membrane or the enamel cuticle, is formed during developmental and eruptive stages, and remnants sometimes persist throughout the life of the tooth. This membrane is structureless, tough and apparently keratinous in composition. Acquired plaques or films consist of various organic deposits accumulated on erupted teeth. Largely bacterial in composition, their significance in caries production is still a matter of controversy.

The structureless, pigmented pellicle recently described by Manly is comparatively free from micro-organisms. Formed on the teeth of persons who do not use dentifrice abrasives, it tends to recur after removal. It resembles the enamel cuticle in its high resistance to chemical reagents, suggesting a keratin composition.