Amelogenesis

Professor Dr Maha M F Mounir

Dentinogenesis occurs prior to

amelogenesis
Soon after the deposition of
the first layer of dentin (mantle
dentin), odontoblasts express
MMPs to digest the basement
membrane to allow E & D
matrices & their respective
mineral phases to come onto direct contact
a strong mechanical bond is
formed between E & D

Stages of ameloblastic diffrentiation

& formation of enamel

1. Morphogenic stage
2.Organization & differentiation stage
3. Formation stage
4. Apposition stage
5. Secretory stage
6. Early & late maturation stage
7. Protection stage

 Matrix formation
Cells of IEE begin to
differentiate into
ameloblasts, they
elongate & their nuclei
shift Distally (away
from DP), & the
cytoplasm becomes filled
with organelles needed
for synthesis &
secretion of enamel
proteins

First formed enamel- rodless enamel

The proximal end of the newly
formed ameloblast (near the DP)
Is still flat. The ameloblast start
to synthesize & secrete enamel
proteins (matrix) against the
newly mineralized mantle dentin
Fine hydroxyapatite crystals
becomes packed perpendicular to
ameloblastss flat proximal end
rodless
E

Secretory Phase of ameloblast

ameloblast cell
lengthen,
proliferation of
RER+ redistribun
of cellular
Organelles i.e;
basal migration of
nucleus & apical
migration of Golgi
(Polarization )

Secretory Phase of ameloblast

 After this first rodless E layer is formed, the

ameloblasts migrate away from dentin surface
which permits the
formation of conical
projections called Tomes
Processes( separated
From the cell body by
Junctional complex).
Saw-toothed appearance.

Enamel formation & maturation

The formation of enamel & dentin matrices
occurs nearly simultaneously.
Following the deposition of a layer of
aprismatic (rodless) enamel, ameloblasts
deposit enamel in the form of rods or
prisms that become highly mineralized.
This is followed by enamel maturation

TP divided into 2 parts

1.Proximal part; contacts
adjacent amelobls A, takes
Place earlier & results in the
formation of E matrix wall.
These walls enclose a pit
into which the slopping-2.Distal interdigitating
part fills(the pit)with matrix;
surrounded by or
interdigitates with enamel
B

Tomes processes
The Tomes process
fits in the pit forming the
enamel rod growth zone,
while the edges of the
Tomes process corresponds to rod sheath &
inter-rod enamel

Enamel maturation
Ameloblasts function to resorb much of the
water & organic matrix from enamel in
order to provide space for the growing
enamel crystals.
Hydroxyapatite crystals in enamel
increase in size, which results in enamel
being formed of 96%mineral, & 4%
organic material + water.

 The arrangement of ameloblasts with their

Tomes process results in the formation of
enamel rods.
A 4 fold increase in the size of crowns
occurs from the start of initiation until
completion of hard tissue deposition. This
increase is accomplished by cell division,
then incremental deposition i.e. ameloblast
first forms an increment of organic matrix,
that later mineralizes. As daily increments of
organic matrix form, the adjacent earlierformed increment mineralizes.
Enamel & dentinal matrices form by
incremental deposition of about 4$m of
matrix daily

incremental deposition of
enamel

Life cycle of ameloblast

The process of amelogenesis is a series of
successive stages of proliferation,
differentiation, secretion & maturation.
The formation of enamel & dentin matrices
occurs nearly simultaneously
The tooth follicle develops around the
tooth & eventually gives rise to the
supporting structures.

Enamel rod & rodless enamel

(prismless)
When enamel secretion
occurs along a flat secretory
front, during the initial & final
secretion of enamel, there are
no orisms in the enamel
When enamel secretion occurs
by fully developed secretory
ameloblast with Tomes process,
enamel rods are formed.

Enamel cuticle
Completed crowns
in crypts have a
cuticle formed on
the surface of
enamel for
protection

Thank you