Morphometry, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray spectral microanalysis of protostylid pits on human lower third molars.

Protostylid pits on 50 lower third molars were studied. The depth and width of the pits, the thickness of the enamel at the pit bottom and the concavity of the dentino-enamel junction under the pit were measured by light microscopy. The pit content was examined by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray spectral microanalysis. The results show that the morphometric variables of protostylid pits are similar to those of occlusal fissures and pits. The protostylid pits were seen to contain globular formations, belonging mainly to dental calculus; organic rod-shaped bodies, which could represent remnants of the enamel organ--or more probably--foreign bodies, were frequently observed. The study suggests that the development of the most common form of protostylid is basically similar to that of an occlusal cusp, with variations attributable to the low expression of the protostylid and particularities of cusp development in the lateral tooth wall.