Thin sections for hard tissue histology: a new procedure

We describe a simple method by which thin sections ( approximately 100 microm) from modern and archaeological teeth and bones can be obtained. A detailed embedding-cutting-mounting procedure is proposed, suggesting the use of a dental adhesive system, composite resins and conventional embedding resins, with the aims of improving the quality of the sections and substantially reducing the steps and time needed to prepare specimens for histological analysis. The introduction of this dental materials-based system allows an accurate positioning of the sample embedded inside the resin, prevents cracks and distortions of the section during the cutting phase and generally improves mounting sections on slides.