Biomaterial Database

The black layer on the teeth of betel chewers: a light microscopic, microradiographic and electronmicroscopic study. 1985

P A Reichart, and H Lenz, and H König, and J Becker, and U Mohr

Ten teeth of betel chewing P'wo Karen, a hilltribe group of northern Thailand, were available for this morphologic study. The structural composition of the black layer on these teeth was studied by light microscopy, microradiography and by electronmicroscopy. Principally, the black layer on the teeth of betel chewers was identical with subgingival calculus which had been colored by specific polyphenols contained in the betel nut. However, a pellicle-like layer forming initially on enamel crystals was also observed. From the morphologic aspect of the black layer a specific anticariogenic property cannot be attested. Further studies on the chemical composition of this black layer may elucidate its probable anticariogenic and its carcinogenic properties relative to oral submucous fibrosis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008852	Microradiography	Production of a radiographic image of a small or very thin object on fine-grained photographic film under conditions which permit subsequent microscopic examination or enlargement of the radiograph at linear magnifications of up to several hundred and with a resolution approaching the resolving power of the photographic emulsion (about 1000 lines per millimeter).	Microradiographies
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D010946	Plants, Medicinal	Plants whose roots, leaves, seeds, bark, or other constituent parts possess therapeutic, tonic, purgative, curative or other pharmacologic attributes, when administered to man or animals.	Herbs, Medicinal,Medicinal Herbs,Healing Plants,Medicinal Plants,Pharmaceutical Plants,Healing Plant,Herb, Medicinal,Medicinal Herb,Medicinal Plant,Pharmaceutical Plant,Plant, Healing,Plant, Medicinal,Plant, Pharmaceutical,Plants, Healing,Plants, Pharmaceutical
D003741	Dental Deposits	Accumulations of microflora that lead to pathological plaque and calculus which cause PERIODONTAL DISEASES. It can be considered a type of BIOFILMS. It is subtly distinguished from the protective DENTAL PELLICLE.	Materia Alba,Dental Deposit,Deposit, Dental,Deposits, Dental
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001114	Areca	A plant genus of the family ARECACEAE. Members contain ARECOLINE and CATECHIN. The leaves and nuts have been used as masticatories, stimulants, and astringents in traditional medicine. The common name of betel is also used for PIPER BETLE. The common name of catechu is sometimes used for ACACIA CATECHU.	Betel Nut,Areca catechu,Areca catechus,Arecas,Betel Nuts,Nut, Betel,Nuts, Betel,catechus, Areca
D014070	Tooth	One of a set of bone-like structures in the mouth used for biting and chewing.	Teeth
D014075	Tooth Discoloration	Any change in the hue, color, or translucency of a tooth due to any cause. Restorative filling materials, drugs (both topical and systemic), pulpal necrosis, or hemorrhage may be responsible. (Jablonski, Dictionary of Dentistry, 1992, p253)	Discoloration, Tooth,Discolorations, Tooth,Tooth Discolorations
D044622	Dental Pellicle	A thin protein film on the surface of DENTAL ENAMEL. It is widely believed to result from the selective adsorption of precursor proteins present in SALIVA onto tooth surfaces, and to reduce microbial adherence to the TEETH.	Enamel Pellicle,Salivary Pellicle,Salivary Acquired Pellicle,Acquired Pellicle, Salivary,Pellicle, Dental,Pellicle, Enamel,Pellicle, Salivary,Pellicle, Salivary Acquired