The ultrastructure of black stain on human primary teeth

Abstract

abstract — Primary teeth with typical black stain were obtained from 10 children and processed for electron microscopy. The deposit consisted of microorganisms in an intermicrobial matrix of varying density. The majority of the bacteria were Gram‐positive cocci or rods. Calcification of the black stain was observed. The results indicate that this deposit is a special type of dental plaque. It differs from regular dental plaque in that Gram‐positive rods constitute the majority of the bacterial population, and it resembles plaque in its ability to provide a matrix for calcification.