Demineralization of Bone

DEMINERALIZATION of specimens for the preparation of histological sections is a time-consuming process. Mineral acids demineralize the specimens faster than chelating agents or organic acids, but the resultant distortion in cellular morphology is greater when mineral acids are used. The rate of demineralization depends mainly on the temperature and concentration of the acid, but since cellular definition and enzymes are adversely affected if the temperature is raised, or when the concentration of the acid is increased, demineralization is usually carried out below or at room temperature and a concentration of mineral acid above 5 per cent of commercial nitric acid (55 per cent) is seldom used. Under these conditions even small specimens of bone must be immersed in acid for days before they are completely demineralized. For teeth, the period of time runs into weeks.