Study of the penetration of extrinsic tracers into exposed cementum in vitro

Abstract

The purpose of the experiment was to study the possible penetration of extrinsic tracers with different molecular weights into exposed cementum in vitro and pathway of penetration. 75 human extracted teeth-55 periodontally diseased teeth and 20 embedded 3rd molars-were used. Each tooth was maintained in 0.005% fluorecein isothiocyanate (FITC) solution (M.W. 400), 0.05% FITC conjugated peroxidase solution (M.W. 40,000), or 0.01% FITC conjugated human IgG solution (M.W. 160,000) for 10 days. Morphological observations were made by means of fluorescence microscopy. Other extracted teeth were maintained in 0.05% microperoxidase solution (M.W. 1,900) for 5 days. Observations were then made using the TEM, and micrographs were taken and analyzed with an image analyzer. As a result, solutions of higher molecular weight showed lower penetration, and unexposed cementum showed a tendency toward greater penetration. Furthermore, the penetration of tracers on the surface of the cementum was along collagen fibers, but in the inner cementum, was into cementocyte lacunae and canaliculi.