[Staining of the surface layer in jaw tumors]

In the histological preparation for surface layer staining, saw cuts 100-300 micrometer thick of undecalcified bone or tooth are made with or without alloplastic implantation material. Only one side of the cut is stained for 4 hours. During this time the stain penetrates about 15 micrometer into the preparation. Deeper-lying cells and structures remain unstained and appear merely as shadows that are not troublesome. The time-consuming process of making thin sections is dispensed with and variously stained serial sections are possible.