Ultrastructure of altered rat enamel beneath fluoride-induced cysts

The effect of a single injection of sodium fluoride (60 mg/kg) on the development of rat molar enamel beneath fluoride-induced subameloblastic cysts was studied by transmission electron microscopy using undecalcified sections. Three bands of altered enamel were identified and defined as the cyst surface band, the hypoplastic band, and the hypercalcified band. The irregular cyst surface band, not previously described, was found to have two components: electron-dense enamel globules and organic spherules. The electron-dense globules consisted of small, randomly arranged crystals (confirmed by selected area electron diffraction) occurring within a stippled organic matrix. The organic spherules have staining properties similar to stippled material and lack a crystalline component. They may be a form of organic material being extruded from the underlying developing enamel. The critical role of normal matrix production and ameloblast Tomes' process structure on the development of the crystal orientation and rod pattern is discussed.