[The lamina limitans. Its scanning electron microscopic aspects]

Many researches agree in maintaining that all the membraneous structure visible in the most external parts of the dental tubules must be considered not ad cytoplasmatic membranes of the odontoblastic processes but as an extracellular organic matrix which in certain conditions may appear detached from the internal wall of the tubule and simulated a superimposable aspect like that of an odontoblastic extension. The aim of this study was to examine at the SEM the state of this organic component in normal conditions and after demineralization with citric acid. Therefore the entire teeth of young people were fixed in formalin and dissected by fracturing. Some of the samples were demineralized with a citric acid solution. All the samples were dehydrated and metallized for the observation at SEM. Demineralization made the peritubular dentine disappear and expose inside every tubule a sheet-like structure which extended all along the tubules. The samples which were not demineralized did not demonstrate a similar structure because of their tight adhesion to the internal wall surface. This kind of formation which other researchers calls "lamina limitans" because of its high content of glycosaminoglycans might be a key factor in controlling the formation of peritubular dentine and tubular sclerosis and it will surely lead to further interesting research.