Immunohistochemical localization of types I and III collagen and fibronectin in the dentine of carious human teeth.

Reparative dentine formed as a response to caries was mostly type I collagen similar to that of normal dentine. The predentine related to reparative dentine reacted positively with antisera to types I and III collagen and to fibronectin. Normal odontoblasts and their processes reacted positively both with types I and III collagen antibodies. Fibronectin was related to odontoblasts and their processes pericellularly. Odontoblasts appeared not to lose totally their developmental ability to synthesize type III-like molecules after maturation. Pulp fibroblasts reacted positively both with types I and III antibodies as well as antifibronectin. The cell-free and cell-rich zones revealed a dense layer of fibres reacting positively with type III collagen and fibronectin antibodies. The width of these zones were reduced in relation to reparative dentine.