THE ORGANIC ELEMENTS OF THE ENAMEL

I. A STUDY OF THE PRINCIPAL FACTORS INVOLVED IN THE HISTOLOGICAL PRESERVATION OF THE ORGANIC ELEMENTS OF ENAMEL AND OTHER HIGHLY CALCIFIED STRUCTURES

¹ Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Mass.

Since there is no evidence that intact mature enamel lends itself to effective fixation by routine fixation procedures, it is suggested that this problem must be solved by a more rational approach than mere expenditure of fixation time. The importance of fixation and immobilization of the delicate organic elements of the enamel is suggested by the success of histological methods using acids which at the same time act as gcod protein fixatives by the combination of acids with fixation fluids on the one hand and with embedding mediums on the other.

An analysis of present knowledge suggests that the decalcification process itself is the most critical single step in the successful histological preparation of highly calcified structures. The isolation of the intact organic framework, in its normal relationship to its surroundings, is benefited by the suppression of forceful CO₂ formation, and by the prevention of a rapid dialyzing action in the presence of organic surface membranes.