Fig. 7.4 Enamel thickness patterns of lateral and occlusal molar crown surfaces shown by colour grading.

The colour scale to the right is common to all

images. These images are obtained by taking an impression of each crown both before and after the enamel is removed by acid. Casts are made from
these impressions and laser-scanned. The inner and outer surface of the enamel of each crown is reassembled using three-dimensional reconstruction
software and the thickness of the enamel is measured and colour-coded. The images show the lateral crown surfaces of two individuals. Each individual
is shown in cither the top or bottom rows, with the maxillary and mandibular molars in the left and the right quadrants, respectively (L = lingual; D = distal;
B = buccal; M = mesial). The variation in thickness within each tooth is clearly seen and follows a similar pattern in each tooth. The numerical values for
thickness vary substantially between individuals and to a lesser extent between teeth from the same individual. From Kono et al 200 2 Archives of OraJ
Biology 47: 867-875. with permission.