Decalcification for electron microscopy with L-ascorbic acid

L-Ascorbic acid decalcification was used for electron microscopy of mammalian tooth germs and bone after fixation in a glutaraldehyde-paraformaldehyde mixture. The recommended decalcifying solution is 2% with respect to L-ascorbic acid and 0.9% with respect to sodium chloride. The method has the advantage that decalcification is complete within a quarter of the time required with EDTA. The fine structure of ameloblasts and hard tissue is preserved as well as with EDTA.