Changes in the predentin thickness and mineralization front configuration in developing human premolars.

The thickness of the predentin layer was studied at three different levels of developing human premolars. The results demonstrate that at the growing end next to the apex, where dentinogenesis is most active, predentin exhibits its greatest thickness (mean value 40.4 micron). However, at the coronal region, where primary dentin has been completely formed, predentin width is reduced to a mean value of 14.8 micron. Changes in the calcospheritic configuration of the mineralization front were established for each of the predentin levels studied. A comparative analysis of these calcospheritic changes and the morphology of fluorescent tetracycline lines detected in ground sections of premolars was established. Fluorescent lines observed at the coronal circumpulpal dentin showed large calcospheritic forms beneath the mantle dentin. However, lines found near the dentin-pulp border showed small calcospherites. It is concluded that the thickness of the predentin layer and the mineralization front configuration vary as a function of dentinogenic activity during development of human premolars.