The extent and distribution of intratubular collagen fibrils in human dentine

Abstract Dentine of 27 permanent human teeth was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The teeth were incisors, canines, premolars and molars, ranging in age from 18 to 54 yr. Intratubular collagen was found in 65% of the dental tubules in inner dentine (closest to the pulp) with 16% of the tubules containing large collagen bundles occupying more than one-fifth of the lumen. In middle dentine the corresponding figures were 42 and 7%, and for outer dentine, 12 and 0%. This pattern of distribution was the same for all tooth families examined and appeared to be unrelated to age.