A combined scanning electron microscopy and immunofluorescence study demonstrating that the odontoblast process extends to the dentinoenamel junction in human teeth

The extent of the odontoblast cell process has been the subject of controversy for many years. Using SEM we have examined the extent and morphology of the process on dentine surfaces of human teeth which were partially demineralized and collagenase digested. Third molars were extracted and split; the dentine surface was demineralized, digested by bacterial collagenase, fixed with glutaraldehyde, postfixed in osmium tetroxide, and prepared for SEM investigation. The SEM study revealed the presence of many processlike structures which extended from the odontoblast cell bodies up to the dentinoenamel junction (DEJ). These processes demonstrated lateral and terminal branching and some of them terminated in distended spheres. We have also applied an immunofluorescence technique at the light microscope level to these exposed dentinal surfaces to localize the intracellular microtubules. For this, a second series of third molars was processed in the same manner as for the SEM up to the fixation stage. Teeth were then fixed in periodate‐lysine‐paraformaldehyde, postfixed in −20°C acetone, and then incubated with affinity‐purified rabbit antitubulin antibodies, followed by fluorescein‐conjugated goat antirabbit IgGs. Intratubular immunofluorescence labelling for tubulin was evident from the odontoblast cell bodies up to the DEJ. The presence of the tubulin‐containing structures extending to the DEJ supports the hypothesis that the structures observed with the SEM are odontoblast processes and that the odontoblast processes do extend to the DEJ.