| Slide Preparation Method | Primary Use Case | Effect on Enamel Matrix | High-Yield MCQ Buzzwords |
| Ground section | Highly mineralized hard tissues | Preserves it perfectly | Best for enamel histology, physical grinding, no acid |
| Decalcified H&E stain | Bone, dentin, cementum, soft tissues | Completely destroys/dissolves it | Removes inorganic minerals, leaves organic matrix |
| Exfoliative cytology | Superficial epithelial layers | Not applicable | Cancer screening, mucosal scraping, cell smears |
| PAS stain | Carbohydrates and fungi | Not applicable | Magenta color, glycogen, glycoproteins, basement membrane |
