Microstructure of anterior teeth enamel

Abstract

The aim of this work was to compare enamel types in human anterior teeth using longitudinal cuts (Lc) and cross cuts (Cc) of upper incisors and canines. Two hemisections were obtained from each piece, embedded in epoxy resin, grinded, etched with acid, metallized and observed under SEM. Micrographs were obtained from the incisal, medial and cervical thirds such as vestibular and lingual faces in Lc and vestibular and palatine faces in Cc. In the Lc samples, both in incisors and in canines, there was enamel with Hunter Schreger bands (HSB) in the vestibular face in the incisal and medial thirds, decreasing towards the cervical third.