OBSERVATIONS FROM SHADOWED COLLODION REPLICAS OF TEETH WITH AMALGAM RESTORATIONS

¹ School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.

A detailed technic of specimen preparation using the collodion replica method followed by metallic shadowing has been presented. This technic enables one to make rapid and accurate general examinations of the hard tooth tissues under the optical microscope. There are definite advantages gained by studying undecalcified hard tissues, yet the replica eliminates the disadvantages of observation in reflected light or the observation of thin sections with transmitted light.

The use of this technic for the histologic study of tissue surfaces is shown by the photomicrographs taken from the specimens made of teeth with amalgam restorations. The observations demonstrate a need for continued study of the traumatic effects on hard tooth tissue as a result of instrumentation.