The changes that occur in human teeth with increasing age probably include a loss of water. Intact whole teeth and teeth with enamel and pulp contents removed showed loss of water on dehydration at 105 C. Old teeth showed less water loss than young teeth.One of the most pervasive changes with advancing age in man is the progressive loss of water from the connective tissues. An increased accumulation of collagen and a decrease in mucopolysaccharidesl accompany this water loss. Comparison of the thoracic aorta, myocardium, and skin of the normal fetus with similar organs from man between 4 months and 86 years old showed a significant increase of collagen with respect to the mucopolysaccharides.2 A general statement has been made that the ratio of mucopolysaccharides to collagen decreases with age.3 Most the bulk of the human tooth is dentin. It is a well-known fact that with aging there is a continuous apposition of dentin on the pulpal surface of the tooth, which adds to the quantity of dentin.Ground sections of root dentin in old teeth show a transparency when examined microscopically. Moreover, such dentin resists the permeation of dyes. Such transparent dentin is composed of marrow-calcified tubules-sclerotic dentin.4 7 Sclerosis of dentinal tubules occurs after the odontoblastic process degenerates or dies.
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