Acquired Organic Integuments of Human Enamel: A Comparison of Analytical Studies with Optical, Phase-Contrast and Electron Microscope Examinations

Sequential Changes in Developing Human Dental Plaque As Visualized by Scanning Electron Microscopy

“…18 ' 19 ' 20 ' 21 It has been hypothesized that the pellicle may be formed "by the settling and growth of microorgan isms along the tooth surface, elaborating, it is suggested, extracellular enzymes, which cause the collapse and lo cal deposition of salivary mucoproteins." 22 This hy pothesis is not supported by our observations. In two 223 hour plaque, there are extensive areas of acquired pel licle remote from bacterial groups, which strongly sug gests that pellicle is deposited independently of bac terial action.…”

“…Armstrong and Hay ward 22 suggested that the differ ence in surface appearance of pellicle from the other investigations might be attributed to alternative methods used for collection, storage and demineralization.…”

Surface Free Energy Changes of Human Enamel during Pellicle Formation

“…Following Dawes [ 1963] we define the acquired pellicle as an organic acellular, essentially bacteria-free layer of salivary origin, deposited within 2 h. SEM pictures indicate a pellicle penetration of 0.1-0.5 ¡im into the enamel [Leach and Saxton, 1966;Tinanoff et al, 1976]; the protein configuration is shown to be time dependent [Lie, 1977] while the thickness of the protein layer on the enamel varies between 0.1 and 0.7 /xm [Sonju et al, 1974]. Extensive investigations have been carried out to elucidate the chemical composition of the pellicle [Leach, 1967;Amstrong and Hayward, 1968;Kraus et al, 1973;Mayhall, 1977], Although 17 different amino acids were determined, the pellicle compo sition is not completely known.…”

Chemical Analysis of the Acquired Pellicle Formed in Two Hours on Cleaned Human Teeth in vivo

“…The source of this organ ic film has been investigated by several authors [Armstrong, 1968[Armstrong, , 1970Hay, 1969;Pruitt et al, 1969] and it is now generally believed to be the result of a selective adsorption of salivary proteins or glyco proteins to the enamel surface. The amino acid and carbohydrate com positions of the pellicle have been thoroughly investigated [Leach et al, 1967;Armstrong and Hayward, 1968;Mayhall, 1969Mayhall, , 1970, but the results are conflicting. The differences in results may be caused by chemical decomposition during the removal of the pellicle, or it may be an indication of a continuous breakdown and readsorption of pellicle proteins to the enamel surface.…”