A light microscopic and ultrastructural examination of calcified dental tissues of horses: 2. Ultrastructural enamel findings.
Abstract: Ultrastructural examinations of defined 3 equine enamel types termed equine (Eq.) Types 1, 2 and 3 enamel, according to the transverse appearance of their enamel prisms and the amount and appearance of their interprismatic enamel. Eq. Type 1 enamel contained alternating rows of oval shaped prisms and thick interprismatic enamel plates, and was found adjacent to the amelodentinal junction. Eq. Type 2 enamel consisted of circular, 'keyhole' to 'horseshoe' shaped prisms with little or no interprismatic enamel and was located adjacent to the amelocemental junction. Eq. Type 3 enamel was composed of rounded prisms surrounded by large amounts of interprismatic enamel and was inconsistently present in a thin layer at the amelodentinal and amelocemental junctions. Prism decussation was seen in the thickest peripheral enamel of the upper cheek teeth but was present throughout incisor enamel therefore making incisors highly resistant to cracking. Scanning electron microscopic examination showed enamel crystals to be cylindrical shaped on transverse section; however, on transmission electron microscopic examination these crystals had shapes, ranging from near oval to rectangular and formed small subunits, with crystals diverging from each other at various angles.
Publication Date: 1997-05-01 PubMed ID: 9234012DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb01669.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research article sees to study the ultrastructure of three distinctive types of horse dental enamel and their location in the teeth. Additionally, the shape and characteristics of enamel crystals were identified under different microscopic views.
Study of Equine Enamel Types
- Three types of equine enamel, termed as Eq. Types 1, 2 and 3, were examined and characterized. These types are differentiated according to their enamel prisms’ transverse appearances and the quantity and appearance of interprismatic enamel.
- Type 1 enamel is made up of alternating rows of oval-shaped prisms and thick interprismatic enamel plates. They are located adjacent to the amelodentinal junction within the tooth.
- Type 2 enamel consists of circular prisms that ranged in shape from a ‘keyhole’ to a ‘horseshoe,’ with little or no interprismatic enamel. This type of enamel was found next to the amelocemental junction.
- Type 3 enamel exhibited rounded prisms surrounded by large quantities of interprismatic enamel. Its presence was inconsistent, only appearing as a thin layer at the amelodentinal and amelocemental junctions.
Prism Decussation and Resistance to Cracking
- The study found that prism decussation, or the crossing of prisms, was seen particularly in the robust peripheral enamel of the horse’s upper cheek teeth. However, it was present throughout the enamel of the incisors.
- This property of prism decussation makes the incisor teeth highly resistant to cracking.
Enamel Crystals’ Morphology
- Upon examination with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), the enamel crystals appeared to be cylinder-shaped in the transverse section.
- However, through a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), varying shapes of these crystals emerged—ranging from near oval to rectangular.
- These crystals form small subunits, and they diverge from each other at varying angles, adding to enamel’s structural complexity.
Cite This Article
APA
Kilic S, Dixon PM, Kempson SA.
(1997).
A light microscopic and ultrastructural examination of calcified dental tissues of horses: 2. Ultrastructural enamel findings.
Equine Vet J, 29(3), 198-205.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb01669.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Bush, Roslin, Midlothian, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Dental Enamel / ultrastructure
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
- Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Transmission
- Microscopy, Polarization
- Tooth Calcification
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Schrock P, Lüpke M, Seifert H, Staszyk C. Three-dimensional anatomy of equine incisors: tooth length, enamel cover and age related changes. BMC Vet Res 2013 Dec 9;9:249.
- Hertel S, Basche S, Schmidt V, Staszyk C, Hannig C, Sterzenbach T, Hannig M. Erosion behaviour of human, bovine and equine dental hard tissues. Sci Rep 2023 Nov 10;13(1):19617.
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