[Study of orientation of enamel prisms in cervical tooth area]

The orientation of enamel prisms in mesio-distal plane was investigated in cervical tooth area in relation to the long axis. The X-ray diffraction method from successive planes of apatite-crystal lattice, nas used. Testings were done on mesial and distal tooth surfaces in four groups of human lateral teeth: maxillar premolars and molars and mandibular premolars and molars. According to the obtained results the apical orientation was the most frequent orientation in all investigated teeth (54-84%). Horizontal orientation of enamel prisms was found in 2-18% of cases and occlusal in 4-32% of teeth.