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A Sectioning and Planing Machine for Plano-Parallel Tooth Sections

J DENT RES 1941 20: 77 DOI: 10.1177/00220345410200011001 The online version of this article can be found at: http://jdr.sagepub.com/content/20/1/77

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A SECTIONING AND PLANING MACHINE FOR PLANOPARALLEL TOOTH SECTIONS'

WILLIAM LEFKOWITZ, D.D.S. Laboratory of Oral Histology and Embryology, School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Columbia University, New York City

Recent investigations of the calcified dental tissues have necessitated improvements in methods for preparing ground sections. Even though special methods of decalcification are available (1, 2, 3, 4), microscopic studies of enamel, and of the dentino-enamel junction, have been made almost entirely by the use of ground sections. Not only is the enamel destroyed by decalcification methods, but certain changes in the dentin are also obscured. The differences between young and old (metamorphosed) dentin, which led Beust (5), Fish (6) and Bodecker and Applebaum (7) to the conclusion that dentin of old teeth contains areas of variable permeability, are evident only in ground sections. Figs. 1 and 2, ground and decalcified sections made from the same molar of an old individual, demonstrate the differences between the two types of sections. Fig. 1, a ground section, shows acute root caries and highly metamorphosed crown dentin (8). This dentinal change causes the tubules to appear black by transmitted light. The decalcified section (fig. 2) has lost its enamel and the dentin appears almost homogeneous and not metamorphosed; only the infected dentinal tubules of the cavity wall show as dark areas. Dental lymph was discovered by Bodecker (9) solely through the study of ground sections. In later corroboration by "vital" staining of teeth (10) ground sections played an important part. Fig. 3 shows the dentino-enamel junction in a ground section in which there appear to be two types of dentinal tubules. Originally the same, they now differ in that the metamorphosed tubules (MT) are impermeable while
1 Presented at the 18th General Meeting of the International Association of Dental Research, Philadelphia, Pa., March 14, 1940 (J. D. Res. 19: 304, 1940).

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the tubules on the left (LTU) still contain dental lymph. Tufts (T) extending into the enamel are also evident. All of these structures

Fi(. 1. Metamorphosed (lentin (MD) is visible only in ground sections. Tooth shows acute root caries (C) crowx n is resistant to caries due at least partially to its imjerme ability. E, enamel; 11, pulp chamber containing pulp nodules.

FIG. 2. Metamorphosed dentin is invisible in decalcified section of sanme tooth as shown in fig. 1. Infected tubules (IT) line cavity (C); P, pul).

and alterations are best observed in ground sections. The difference between lymph-filled (LT) and metamorphosed (MT) tubules is again clearly seen in fig. 4. The latter tubules appear dark because they

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FIw. 3. Ground sectioin at border of dentin and ciamel (E), show-ing both metamor-

phosed tubules (MT) and l ymph-hlled

ones

(LT); T, tufts.

FIC. 4. A highly enlarged metamorphosed tubule (MT) and lymph-filled tubule (LT)

contain the gaseous remnant of (lental lymph which refracts the light passing through the specimen, while the translucent lymph-filled

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tubules (LT) allow the light to pass through their fluid content. This appearance must not be confused with that of bacteria-filled tubules seen in decalcified specimens (fig. 2). Tomes (11), Neumann (12) and most of the other earlier investigators used ground sections almost entirely. More noteworthy of the recent contributions further establishing the value of this type of section include Schour's demonstration of the neonatal ring in the enamel (13) and his calculation of growth rate of dental tissues by means of alizarin injections (14), Applebaum's studies (15) of enamel calcification with the Grenz ray and Kitchin's polarized light studies (16). The technique of grinding sections for microscopic study requires painstaking attention to manipulative details. Although the planing machines introduced by Cowardin (17), Allen (18), Black (19) and Bodecker (20), eliminated many objections to the earlier method of hand grinding, others still remained. The carborundum-vulcanite saw, which is almost universally used, wastes approximately 11 mm. of the specimen for each section and generates intense heat which increases the friability of the tissue. The slabs produced by the saw must be planed and, because enamel resists grinding more than the softer cementum and dentin, the resultant sections are tbicker in the incisal area than in the root. This feature is undesirable, especially for Grenz ray investigations. In consequence of the difficulties of preparation, the study of ground sections has been neglected, although for specific purposes their -use presents many advantages. Comparison of both methods need not imply that calcification is inferior. It must be emphatically pointed out that both methods are essential, that each compliments the other, and, that only by examination of both ground and decalcified sections can conclusive observations be made.
SECTION CUTTER

The need for improved ground sections required modification of the section cutter designed by Bodecker (20) (fig. 5). At thesuggestion of Dr. D. Ziskin, a universal joint was added to the specimen holder making it possible to change the position of the specimen so that sections may be cut in any desired plane.

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The use of a carborundum saw has been discontinued. Diamond is a perfect cutting medium and is used to cut all hard materials, even diamond itself. When ground into a fine powder, it has the property

,W-

Fi,. 5. Sectioin cutter. Diamond charged saw (DS) mounted on lathc head l)rotccted by flange to prevent xeaving of saw. Specimen carrier (SC) wxith universal joint attachment. Carriage (C) supporting specimen carrier which can be fed horizontally or vertically b. xoxrm drive (WD) screw. Worm drive micrometer (\) to determille thickness of slabs.

of adhering to the surface of metals and under pressure can be forced into, and retained in, the pores of soft metals. It may also be rolled into the smooth edge of a metal disc to produce a diamond charged saw used extensively in the precious jewel industry. Such a disc

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may be charged many times and becomes more efficient the more often charged. Diamond dust was recommended by Carpenter (21), in 1883, for cutting tooth slabs. He used "a soft iron disc charged at its edge with diamond dust, which disc may be driven by an ordinary lathe." This method was supplanted by the carborundum-vulcanite saw which was considerably thinner than the "soft iron disc." A phospho-bronze disc, 150 micra thick, charged with 300 mesh diamond dust, is now used with the section cutter. In contrast to carborundum-vulcanite, it is extremely thin, eliminates much of the waste caused in cutting sections, and generates little heat. A moistened cloth, held gently against the cutting edge provides sufficient lubrication and prevents overheating the specimen. In further contrast to carborundum, the diamond cutter must revolve at a high speed, approximately 10,000 feet per minute. This is equivalent to 9,000 revolutions per minute of a 4' inch saw. The saw and lathe must run true, and at high speed the slabs may be cut very thin. The specimen is retained in the holder with Chaser's cement, which softens when heated so that the tooth may be pressed into position. The edges are sealed with a hot spatula. The diamond saw is unaffected by Chaser's cement. The specimen is gently brought into contact with the saw and held in position for a moment, then fed at a steady, smooth rate until the slab is cut. Irregular feeding will produce rills which must be polished by hand. Proper cutting of slabs will produce a smooth surface. The specimen is withdrawn and a micrometer adjustment determines the thickness of the next slab. The extreme sections are comparatively thick but the central slabs can be cut as thin as 250 to 400 micra. The excessive waste is considerably reduced by the use of a diamond charged phospho-bronze saw producing 4 times the number of tooth slabs previously secured by means of carborundum.
PLANING MACHINE

The slabs cut by the planing machine are kept serially in water to prevent drying. One surface is polished on a ground glass or Arkansas stone if necessary. They are then secured to the specimen carrier, (fig. 6) polished, surface down, by specially prepared Canada bal-

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sam. The specimen carrier is heated to 100i centigrade and a thin layer of balsam applied to the surface. When it cools to 60, the slabs are dried with a cloth and placed in their respective order, each one is covered with a paper square and a flat metal plate placed over it. A strong clamp insures complete contact of the polished surface of the tooth slab to the specimen carrier. Unless such contact is perfect in all areas the resultant specimens will not be plano-parallel. The

FIG. 6. Specimen carrier with twelve sections of an upper bicuspid before planing. Three sectionls covered with metal plate (P). Strong spring clamps (C) insure contact of slabs with face of specimen carrier.

use of the metal plate also prevents warping of the specimen. The balsam is permitted to cool slowly. The specimen carrier will accommodate approximately 12 slabs depending on their size. The specimen carrier is then transferred to the planing machine (fig. 7). It is held in place by an arm which locks into an upright on the apparatus and is equipped with a micrometer which, with a fair degree of accuracy, raises the specimen carrier the desired distance from the lap. This measures the thickness of the finished sections in

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advance. An adjustable spring exerts a downward pressure to insure constant grinding. As the slabs are ground thin, the micrometer descends to a stop which results in specimens of the prescribed thickness. In actual operation, the lap revolves in a horizontal plane with the slabs attached to the specimen carrier in contact with it. Release of a spring on the upright exerts pressure forcing the specimen carrier

FIn., 7. Experimental model of planiing machine with specimen carrier (SC) in position. Micruonicter adjustment (M) for determining thickness of sections. Stop (S) with which micrometer makes contact when sections are ground. Spring release (SR) on upright to force specimen carrier against fibre nut (FN) causing it to revolve. Bronze lap) (L) in container (C) adjustable distributor (D) for pumice and w ater which directs flow' to site of specimen carrier.

against a fiber nut extending from the center of the grinding lap. This causes the specimen carrier to revolve without irregular wearing of the lap and eliminates grinding rills. Sections are completed when the micrometer makes contact with the stop, announced by an electric buzzer. The apparatus requires practically no supervision. Several grinding laps may be used ranging through different grades of carborundum to steel or bronze. Carborundum laps, used first

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with a stream of water from a reservoir directed to the site of the specimen carrier, proved unsuccessful because the balsam adhered to porous areas of the carborundum and produced a smooth elevated surface. The specimen carrier rebounded over the areas of balsam and seriously hindered grinding. Xylol or other solvents were impracticable because they also dissolved the balsam on the specimen carrier, thereby freeing the sections. This obstacle was overcome by adding alundum flour abrasive, a finely powdered carborundum, to the water. A thin layer of the abrasive remained on the surface of the lap and the balsam adhered to it and rolled off leaving a clean surface. Subsequent trials demonstrated that alundum was sufficiently abrasive to function with a smooth lap. Steel and bronze were tried, the latter giving the best results. The final design, fig. 7, shows the lap in a receptacle. Water and abrasive are added, and the instrument set in motion. As the lap revolves, the distributor intercepts the flow of abrasive and water at the periphery of the receptacle and directs the flow to the site of the specimen carrier providing a constant flow. Unfortunately, the fine particles of alundum were imbedded in the finished sections and could not be removed. Pumice was substituted and even though the grinding was much slower, the resultant sections could be cleaned with a camel's hair brush. The difficulty of balsam adhering to the lap had also been eliminated. To remove the specimens, the carrier is placed in a xylol bath. A small metal disc, placed in the center of a petri dish will facilitate the dissolution of balsam in the xylol bath allowing the sections to fall off in their respective positions. They are then cleaned with a camel's hair brush and mounted serially in balsam. The use of several interchangeable specimen carriers for the planing machine will eliminate further waste of time if many sections are to be cut. While the balsam is hardening to secure the slabs to a specimen carrier, another may be in operation on the machine, and a third may be in a xylol bath to remove the sections. Over 500 sections have been prepared by this method. With a few exceptions, due to faulty technique, the results were uniformly planoparallel. Micrometer measurements show the same thickness of the crown and root. The method of establishing the thickness of the section requires some care. If the machine is permitted to operate after the micrometer reaches the stop some grinding will occur due to

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the thickness of the abrasive, for which allowance must be made in advance. Adjustments must be made periodically to compensate for a slight wearing away of the lap. Attempts were made to produce extremely thin sections by this method, in some cases as thin as 20 micra. This proved impracticable because the enamel was too brittle to withstand handling, although ground sections of dentin at 20 micra were sufficiently pliant to be mounted. The best sections of enamel were prepared at 75 to 125 micra. The use of these equipments has greatly facilitated the technique of preparing ground sections. It is possible to produce 12 to 15 sections from an anterior tooth and as many 18 to 20 from a molar. Many of the objections to the technique are partially eliminated, yielding many more consistently plano-parallel sections and improving the economy of time and material.
Grateful acknowledgment is made to Dr. Charles F. Bodecker for his invaluable assistance in planning these instruments, for use of figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, and the discussion of advantages of ground sections.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

REFERENCES TO LITERATURE BODECKER, C. F., D. Rev., 20: 3, 1906. MALLESON, H. C., D. Surgeon, 21: 399, 1924. CAPE, A. T., AND KITCHIN, P. C., J. A. D. A., 17: 193, 1930. ARNIM, S. S., Anat. Rec., 62: 321, 1935. VON BEUST, THEODOR, D. Rec., 32: 660, 1912. FISH, E. W., J. A. D. A., 14: 804, 1927. BODECKER, C. F., AND APPLEBAUM, E., D. Cosmos, 73: 995, 1931. BODECKER, C. F., J. D. Res., 16: 51, 1937. IDEM, D. Cosmos, 71: 586, 1929. IDEM AND LEFKOWITZ, W., J. D. Res., 16: 463, 1937. TOMES, C. S., A Manual of Dental Anatomy, Human and Comparative, (Philadelphia, Lindsey and Blakiston: 1876). 12. NEUMAN, E., Beitrag zur Kenntniss des normalen Zahnbein und Knochengewebes,

(Leipsig, 1863).
13. SCHOUR, I., J. A. D. A., 23: 1946, 1936. 14. IDEM, Proc. Soc. Exp. Bio. and Med., 37: 710, 1938. 15. APPLEBAUM, E., HOLLANDER, F., AND BODECKER, C. F., D. Cosmos, 75: 1097, 1933. 16. CAPE, A. T., AND KITCHIN, P. C., 10c. cit. 17. COWARDIN, S. P., J. Applied Microscopy, 2: 292, 1899. 18. ALLEN, F. W., D. Cosmos, 45: 27, 1903. 19. NOYES, F. B., AND BLACK, G. V., Histology and Embryology, (Philadelphia, Lea and Febiger: 1912). 20. BODECKER, C. F., D. Cosmos, 68: 860, 1926. 21. CARPENTER, W. B., The Microscope and Its Revelations, (New York, William Wood: 1883).

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