A study of the odontoblast process with transmission electron microscopy

Freshly extracted human third molars with completely formed roots were sectioned and placed in Karnovsky's fixative. The specimens were decalcified in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for 91 days, followed by digestion in collagenase. They were then fixed in a solution of buffered osmium tetroxide or ruthenium red and buffered osmium tetroxide, embedded in Spurr's plastic mixture, and sectioned for transmission electron microscopy. Each section was stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and viewed with a transmission electron microscope. No odontoblast processes could be identified at the cemental third of the dentin with the described technique.