PMC

SEMs of dissolving enamel cores, showing (a) the erosion of the walls of primary tooth enamel and (b) their retention for permanent tooth enamel after long-term dissolution. Arrow shows a fractured primary enamel wall.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the primary tooth enamel. a at the baseline; b after demineralization. An increase in the porosities and spaces in the enamel surface is evident; c aged remineralized-stained enamel (SDF-treated surface); d aged remineralized-stained enamel (SDF + KI-treated surface). The globular arrangement of mineral deposits has filled the porous areas and voids of the demineralized enamel; e–h after final intervention. Note that CP did not cause significant changes to the enamel surface. e SDF-treated enamel followed by 8-h/day application of 10% CP for 2 weeks; f SDF-treated enamel followed by 15-min/day application of 10% CP for 3 weeks; g SDF + KI-treated enamel followed by 8-h/day application of 10% CP for 2 weeks; h SDF + KI-treated enamel followed by 15-min/day application of 10% CP for 3 weeks

(A) SEM image of the labial surface of primary tooth showing irregular enamel in a diabetic patient; (B) SEM image of the labial surface of primary tooth showing enamel surface with normal ultrastructure in a healthy child; (C) SEM image of the labial surface of primary tooth showing aprismatic enamel in a diabetic patient; (D) SEM image of the labial surface of primary tooth showing enamel surface with a normal aprismatic layer in a healthy child; (E) SEM image of the labial surface of primary tooth showing enamel surface with a normal rod and inter-rod structure visible beneath the aprismatic layer in a healthy child.

A) Schematics showing the arrangement of enamel rods in mature enamel and their association with enamel rod sheaths made of organic material accumulated along a semicircle at the periphery of each rod. B) Scanning electron microscopy analysis of ground, polished and etched human molars showing the characteristic keyhole pattern of enamel rods (left panel; scale bar: 10 μm). Immunochemical detection of KRT75 performed on a similar surface showing staining primarily where enamel rod sheaths are located (right panel; scale bar: 10 μm). Primary antibody: anti-KRT75 (LifeSpan BioSciences Inc.). Secondary antibody: Alexa 555 conjugated goat anti-guinea-pig antibody (Life technologies). C) Transmission electron microscopy of enamel rod sheaths after demineralization of human enamel showing the semi-circular pattern of sheaths surrounding each individual rod. Scale bars: left panel 10 μm; right panel 1 μm.