INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE MINERALIZATION PATTERN OF HUMAN DENTAL ENAMEL

PART II X-RAY ABSORPTION STUDIES

¹ Oral Pathology Department, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, England

1. The enamel mineralization pattern within individual teeth and within a dentition, shown by the present x-ray absorption studies, closely agreed with that already described in the polarized light studies on the same sections (Part I).

2. Mineral matter was detectable radiographically in developing enamel shortly after the commencement of organic matrix deposition; this also is in agreement with the findings of the polarized light studies (Part I).

3. No influx of mineral matter was found starting at the surface of the incisal edge and spreading cervically at right angles to the striae of Retzius during enamel mineralization. A similar observation was reported in the polarized light studies (Part I).