Distribution and organization of odontoblast processes in human dentin.

The distribution and organization of odontoblast processes in young human dentin was examined with a scanning electron microscope. By applying the HCl-collagenase method, the extracellular matrix of dentin was almost completely removed, thereby exposing the odontoblast processes and their branches to direct observation. The odontoblast processes are located close to the dentinoenamel junction. In the middle and outer zones of dentin the processes bear numerous branches. Some of these appeared to bridge the space between the processes and connect them.