Terminal end of the human odontoblast processes

2000 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Grötz ◽  
B. Al-Nawas ◽  
R. Brahm ◽  
H. Duschner ◽  
W. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Odontoblast Processes

scholarly journals Odontoblast processes in dentin revealed by fluorescent Di-I.

1995 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
M R Byers ◽  
A Sugaya
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Microscopy ◽  
Cell Structure ◽  
Carbocyanine Dyes ◽  
Carbocyanine Dye ◽  
Reparative Dentin ◽  
Hard Tissues ◽  
Odontoblast Process ◽  
Odontoblast Processes ◽  
Rat Molars

There has been controversy about the length and structure of the odontoblast process within dentin since the earliest histologic studies of teeth. Our objective was to use the fluorescent carbocyanine dye Di-I combined with a new gelatin embedment procedure and confocal microscopy to determine the structure and extent of odontoblast processes in developing and mature rat teeth, injured rat molars, reparative dentin, and adult monkey teeth. We found that odontoblast processes do not extend into outer dentin or to the dentin-enamel junction except during early stages of development. Those in innervated regions of crown are long and straight, whereas those in roots are extensively branched and shorter. Cavity injury to crown dentin caused odontoblast fragments to be aspirated into outer dentin. In reparative dentin the odontoblast processes were branched and similar to those in roots. We used photoconversion and electron microscopy to show that Di-I fills the entire odontoblast after gelatin embedment, including the cytoplasm. This is a different type of carbocyanine staining from any previously reported, and it also stains other cells in adjacent hard tissues such as bone and cementum. The Di-I-gelatin method is a new way to use carbocyanine dyes. It has enabled us to solve a long-standing controversy about the histology of teeth, and it should be useful for many other studies of cell structure.

Odontoblast processes in human dentin revealed by fluorescence labeling and transmission electron microscopy

2002 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunihiko Yoshiba ◽  
Nagako Yoshiba ◽  
Sadakazu Ejiri ◽  
Masaaki Iwaku ◽  
Hidehiro Ozawa
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Fluorescence Labeling ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Human Dentin ◽  
Odontoblast Processes

scholarly journals Intracellular Distribution of Desmoplakin in Human Odontoblasts

2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (9) ◽  
pp. 1099-1108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshihiko Sawa ◽  
Shin-ichiro Kuroshima ◽  
Yuji Yamaoka ◽  
Shigemitsu Yoshida
Keyword(s):  
Dental Pulp ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Image ◽  
Mesenchymal Phenotype ◽  
Dentin Sialophosphoprotein ◽  
Differentiation Medium ◽  
Human Dental Pulp ◽  
Odontoblast Processes ◽  
Diffuse Distribution

Coexpression of desmosomal proteins and vimentin has been reported in a specific mesenchymal phenotype. This study investigated the expression of vimentin-binding desmosomal proteins in human dental pulp fibroblasts (DPF) and odontoblasts. The dental pulp has no cells expressing desmocollin (DSC) 1–3, desmoglein (DSG) 1–3, junction plakoglobin (JUP), or desmoplakin (DPK) 1 and 2 except for odontoblasts expressing DPK. A confocal image by laser-scanning microscopy demonstrated the diffuse distribution of DPK in the cytoplasm throughout the odontoblast processes. In culture, the mRNA expression of JUP and DPK1, but not DSC1–3 and DSG1–3, was detected in all DPF clones tested and also in odontoblast-like cells (OB) expressing osteocalcin and dentin sialophosphoprotein mRNAs established in the differentiation medium. The DPF having the potential to differentiate into OB expressed vimentin, but not DPK before culturing in the differentiation medium, whereas OB expressed vimentin-binding DPK1. These results suggest that DPF usually expresses DPK1 mRNA, and that the DPK1 production and the bonding of vimentin to DPK1 occur in DPF with the differentiation into odontoblasts.

scholarly journals Immunolocalization of Gla proteins (osteocalcin) in rat tooth germs: comparison between indirect immunofluorescence, peroxidase-antiperoxidase, avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex, and avidin-biotin-gold complex with silver enhancement.

1987 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 825-830 ◽  
Author(s):  
A L Bronckers ◽  
S Gay ◽  
R D Finkelman ◽  
W T Butler
Keyword(s):  
Blood Vessels ◽  
Indirect Immunofluorescence ◽  
Staining Intensity ◽  
Gold Complex ◽  
Silver Enhancement ◽  
Tissue Sections ◽  
Weak Staining ◽  
Mode Of Transport ◽  
Tooth Germs ◽  
Odontoblast Processes

Odontoblasts and osteoblasts synthesize gamma-carboxyglutamatic acid (Gla)-containing proteins which are partially deposited in the mineralizing tissues and partially released into the plasma. Using four immunostaining techniques, we have evaluated the question of whether dentin Gla proteins (DGP) are transported to the mineralization front through the odontoblast processes. Undecalcified sections of rat incisors and molar tooth germs were immunostained with affinity-purified antibodies to DGP using the following methods: indirect immunofluorescence; peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP); avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC-peroxidase); and avidin-biotin-gold complex with silver enhancement (ABC-GSS). The results obtained with these four procedures were compared with respect to the developmental appearance of DGP, staining intensity and presence in odontoblastic processes, predentin, dentin, and blood vessels. Qualitatively, similar results were obtained with the four, with respect to the distribution and developmental appearance of DGP, with two exceptions: indirect immunofluorescence never stained DGP within blood vessels, whereas the other methods occasionally did; and because of its sensitivity, only the ABC-GSS method revealed immunostaining for DGP in odontoblastic processes. All methods revealed weak immunostaining in predentin which was considerably enhanced with hyaluronidase treatment; however, hyaluronidase only moderately increased predentin immunostaining with ABC-GSS. Of these four procedures, ABC-GSS is the most sensitive; however, ABC-GSS appears to detect predominantly antigens at the surface of tissue sections. We conclude that DGP is present in odontoblastic processes but in low amounts; the weak staining was due either to rapid transport of DGP through the process or to the fact that this mode of transport is limited.

Scanning electron microscope observation of the endings of the odontoblast process in human and animal dentin

1984 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 240-241
Author(s):  
R. Chernecky ◽  
D.C. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Outer Part ◽  
Close Relation ◽  
Aqueous Alcohol ◽  
Dentinal Tubules ◽  
All Solutions ◽  
Cacodylate Buffer ◽  
Spherical Structures ◽  
Odontoblast Process ◽  
Odontoblast Processes ◽  
Scanning Electron

Recent SEM studies have demonstrated that the odontoblast process occupies the dentinal tubules of fully formed dentin, up to the dentinal-enamel junction (Maniatopoulos and Smith, 1982, 1983; Yamada et al, 1983). There is however, still debate on how the processes end at the dentinal-enamel or dentinal-cementum junction. It was the purpose of this study to investigate the endings of the odontoblast process in these areas.Materials and Methods:Freshly extracted human and rat teeth were a) split mechanically by the use of a mallet and a chisel, b) decalcified in 18% E.D. T.A. for 6 hr, c) washed in PBS for 1 hr, d) digested with bacterial collagenase for 2 hr at 37°C, e) fixed in 2% glutaraldehyde with 0.1M cacodylate buffer for 12 hr, f) post-fixed in 1% osmium, g) dehydrated in a graded series of aqueous alcohol. All solutions had 0.1M sucrose added to maintain almost near physiological osmolarity, ph was 7.4. Then specimens were routinely processed for scanning electron microscopy (ISI-60).Results:Odontoblast processes were observed in the inner, middle and outer part of dentin, up to the dentin-enamel or dentino-cementum junction, in all specimens examined. These observations verify the findings of previous workers in the field. At the area of mantle dentin the odontoblast processes were observed to be divided, giving two or more terminal branches (schematically shown in fig 1-3). In this area the processes were observed to end forming spherical structures (fig 1-9). These spherical endings of the odontoblast processes were observed after the total removal of the enamel and part of the mantle dentin through demoralization. These structures were observed on the surface of the dentin in close relation to the openings of the dentinal tubules (fig 4,5,8 and 9) and presenting a true continuation to the odontoblast processes (fig 6,7). In some specimens (fig 5,6) spheres were collapsed probably due to specimen dehydration following fracture and SEM preparation, whereas in other specimens they appeared intact (fig 8,9). Some endings (fig 8,9) showed smaller spherical projections on the main sphere body. The spherical endings of the odontoblast processes were observed in both crown and root mantle dentin.Conclusions:The results suggest that i) the odontoblast processes occupy the full length of fully developed dentin in both human and rat teeth, up to the dentino-enamel or dentino-cementum junction, ii) The odontoblast processes end in the mantle dentin in the form of spherical structures.Acknowledgement:The authors are grateful to Dr. M. Sigal for the initial preparation of the specimens.

The Effect of Three Types of Rasps on the Occlusal Surface of Equine Cheek Teeth: A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study

2003 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan A. Kempson ◽  
Mary E.B. Davidson ◽  
Ian T. Dacre
Keyword(s):  
Dental Treatment ◽  
Smear Layer ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Dental Tissues ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopic Study ◽  
Optimum Technique ◽  
Solid Carbide ◽  
Extent Of Damage ◽  
Odontoblast Processes ◽  
Scanning Electron

Two hand rasps (tungsten chip blade, solid carbide blade) and an electrically-driven solid carbide axial bur were used to treat the cheek teeth of 2 horses immediately postmortem. All teeth were normal and were rasped to a standard considered satisfactory in practice. Six teeth from each horse served as untreated controls. Following treatment, the teeth were extracted and the clinical crown removed and prepared for scanning electron microscopy. Teeth were also extracted and examined from a horse that had excessive dental treatment previously. Dental debris created by the procedures was collected and examined. All three rasp techniques resulted in amputation of odontoblast processes. The solid carbide blade cut deep gouges and grooves into the surface of the dentin, chipping the enamel and peripheral cement. No smear layer was created. Rasping with a tungsten chip blade created a partial smear layer and a smoother surface than the solid carbide blade. The electrically-driven bur produced a complete smear layer and removed all dental tissues to a smooth layer. The enamel had also been damaged by the electric bur. Crown particles collected after the procedures were larger following hand rasping compared with particles produced by the electric bur. The extent of damage to sensitive and vital dentin tissue was of concern. Further studies are required to establish the optimum technique for rasping equine cheek teeth.

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