[Study of the human enamel prisms maturation nature in different periods of postpartum ontogenesis by atomic force microscopy].

Vagner, V D; Konev, V P; Korshunov, A S; Kuryatnikov, K N; Skurikhina, A P

OBJECTIVE It is necessary to study the human enamel prisms size at different periods of postpartum ontogenesis by atomic force microscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved 94 males which were divided into groups by age: 15-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60 years old, each examined male had one 3.8 or 4.8 tooth removed (from the fracture line in the region angle of the mandible, according to orthodontic indications) for medical reasons. The shape, roughness, length and width of the enamel prisms were studied in the Image Analysis NT-VDT program according to the method of Omsk State Medical University. RESULTS The enamel prisms structure at all ages has a regular, ordered shape with 6-sided and 7-sided figures. The most constant structure occurs at the age group of 41-50, 51-60 years. The fastest enamel prisms growth occurs in the direction that increases the prism length at all ages. Growth on a plane which increases the prism width is slow at 41-50 years. It is catching up with the growth rate of enamel prisms in length at 51-60 years old. Enamel prisms at 15-20, 21-30 years old stretch faster in the horizontal direction. CONCLUSION In maturation process, due to correct and harmonious growth, enamel prisms are timely modified from pyramidal form in the early postpartum period to a prismatic form in the late postpartum period of ontogenesis.