Chemical analysis of a dens invaginatus by SEM microanalyses.

A patient with a supernumerary right maxillary lateral incisor with dens invaginatus presented. After extraction, the invaginated area of the tooth as well as another of similar ages but with normal hard tissues, were prepared for scanning electron microscopic observation. Outer and invaginated enamels were identified the latter showing more density. Chemical analysis by the scanning microanalyses revealed differences in mineral contents between: a) the external and cut surface of the outer and the invaginated enamel, and b) the external and cut surface of the normal tooth. The outer and invaginated enamels are quite different concerning the quantity and quality of minerals, the latter having no magnesium at all. Magnesium was also non existent in the dentin.