Enamel and dentine ultrastructure in the early Jurassic therian Kuehneotherium

Three fragmentary molars of Kuehneotherium from Wales were progressively abraded by grinding and studied by scanning electron microscopy. A fourth molar was reduced to small blocks, thin sections of which were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Enamel showed a ‘preprismatic’ pattern, consisting of columns of crystals disposed as pinnae but not separated by an interprismatic substance. No enamel tubules were observed. Incremental lines were present. Inner dentine was permeated by numerous tubules not surrounded by peritubular dentine but a peripheral dentine layer adjacent to the enamel-dentine junction was atubular. Calcified deposits were occasionally observed in the lumen of dentine tubules, some of which were interpreted here as dentinal sclerosis consecutive to masticatory wear.