DENTINO-ENAMEL CUTICLE PRESENT IN ADULT HUMAN TEETH

¹ Department of Oral Histology and Pathology, College of Dentistry, University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines

1. Decalcified sections of two teeth showing a recovered enamel matrix and a membranous structure which is interpreted as the dentino-enamel cuticle are presented in this report. From the available literature at our disposal, it seems that this is the first time that the dentino-enamel cuticle is shown present in adult human teeth.

2. The dentino-enamel cuticle appears to be more resistant to caries process than the enamel matrix. In our specimen, the undermining caries progresses between the dentino-enamel cuticle and the enamel matrix at the sacrifice of the latter. While portions of the enamel matrix are already necrotic and dissolved, the dentin appears to be still intact although some dentinal tubules seem to be already affected by the caries process.