Microwave irradiation as a form of fixation for dental pulp

This study investigated developments in microwave energy fixation and the general applicability of microwave fixation to studies of dental pulp. Rat mandibles with incisors were dissected out and immersed in various solutions before and after exposure to microwave energy. Histological examination showed no combination with microwave fixation to be equal in quality to control tissues fixed in formalin. Inferior but satisfactory results could be achieved by immersion of tissues in formalin after microwave irradiation, a step thought to protect the microwave fixed tissue from subsequent damage caused by decalcification. Good fixation of tissues outside the pulp was achieved using microwave energy. Further investigation is required to perfect microwave fixation of pulpal tissue.