Slicing technique for tooth specimens in histological preparation.

A slicing technique for the preparation of a tooth specimen is described. A low speed saw (ISOMET) was used for this modified technique. It is a slicing machine fitted with a diamond-impregnated cutting disc of 0.5 mm in thickness. The formalin was used for lubrication to serve as both a coolant and a fixative simultaneously. It is thought that the preparation will not damage or disturb the surface of the tooth specimen by careful management under 200 rpm with a loading of 50 grams. The cutting of slices can be controlled by adjusting the specimen arm with a micrometer to the desired thickness. A high quality histological preparation can be obtained when the specimen is sliced as mentioned above soon after it is removed from the living body before decalcification. By the observation of specimens such as the resected jaw bone or other large hard tissue specimens, it is suggested that the sliced specimens of 2 mm in thickness can be obtained routinely for histological study by using this method.