Abstract:Objective To compare the effects of three different staining methods during the root developmental stages of mandibular first molar in mice. Methods The coronal sections of mandibular first molars were prepared from ICR mice at the postnatal day5(PN5), PN7, PN14 and PN21. H-E staining, Masson trichrome staining and Gomori staining were used to analyze the root development, and the staining results were compared among three methods. Results From PN5 to PN7, the root development was at the initial stage, the morphology of odontoblast, ameloblast and Hertwigs root sheath(HERS) were stained clearly in H-E staining. The results of Masson trichrome staining were brightly colored with distinct layers of enamel, dentin and predentin. In Gomori staining, the nucleus were in a single blue-black color, but the contrast of soft and hard tissue was poor. From PN14(tooth eruption stage) to PN21(root development completed stage), the morphology of odontoblast, ameloblast and periodontal fibroblast stained clearly in H-E staining. Masson staining was the most effective method to investigate periodontal tissues as the collagen fiber was arranged regularly between the cementum and alveolar bone. Gomori staining was generally inferior to the other two methods. Conclusion The three different staining methods in the root development of the mandibular first molar in mice have their own advantages. H-E staining is appropriate for the observation of all kinds of cell morphology. Masson trichrome staining is suitable for the tooth hard tissue and bone tissue. Gomori staining is generally inferior to other two methods.