A method for the study of undecalcified bones and teeth with attached soft tissues*

Abstract

A new sawing-grinding method is described for the histological evaluation of jaw bones with teeth or bones containing implants (ceramic or metallic). The undecalcified bone is embedded in acrylic resin and sawed at 100 to 150 μm. The slices are ground automatically by a special machine to a thickness of 5–10 μm. The usually employed staining procedures for hard plastic embedded tissues may be used. Plaque, fillings, crowns, bridges, implants and soft tissues are preserved in situ. Macroscopic and microscopic detail of good quality is preserved for histological and morphometrical evaluation.