ORAL BIOLOGY ASSIGNMENT

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE ENAMEL/INCREMENTAL

LINES

SHAZA KHALID 29657

ENAMEL

Enamel is the hardest biological tissue which is ectodermal in origin and covers the crown
of the tooth. Enamel is a highly mineralized structure that withstands both abrasion and
impact forces. Enamel is a briefringent crystalline structure and because of low translucency
it appears white. Enamel mainly consists of 96%hydroxyapatite crystals, 4% water and 1%
organic matrix while the basic structural unit of enamel is enamel rods which have the Key
hole appearance. Enamel is a cellular it cannot be remineralized.

SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE ENAMEL

Enamel is the part of crown that is visible in the oral cavity while subsurface enamel is
covered by gingiva and it is above the cervical line

❖ Surface enamel is harder, denser and less porous than the subsurface enamel.
Hardness and density decreases from surface towards the cervical line
❖ Surface enamel is less soluble than subsurface
❖ Surface enamel is more radio-opaque so can be seen prominently on X-rays
❖ Surface enamel is richer in trace elements like fluoride, zinc, iron, lead but contains
less carbonate
 ❖ Surface enamel in most areas is a prismatic that’s why it is very mineralized and
resistant to dental caries
❖ Surface enamel is at a greater risk of small cracks than subsurface enamel

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Enamel surface is of great clinical significance although it is the hardest tissue but this
tissue is in contact with the oral cavity environment that include bacteria and acidic
foods. So this area is the vulnerable to infections and caries

❖ The translucent appearance of enamel is due to prisms but with age, poor oral
hygiene, stains and other masticatory stresses the enamel thinning occurs and this
demineralization causes discoloration while when demineralization occurs in
subsurface enamel it is called “ white spot lesion “.
❖ Poor oral hygiene can cause plaque deposit which ultimately leads to calculus
deposits. These conditions can be prevented by using remineralization products like
tooth pastes and mouth wash.
❖ The loss of tooth structure can mainly occur because of three main mechanisms 1.
Attrition: loss of the tooth structure because of the tooth to tooth contact. Severe
attrition is seen in people with habitual clenching of teeth
2. Abrasion : wear and tear or loss of tooth structure because of friction
between tooth and other mechanical forces like rigorous brushing
3. Erosion : loss of tooth structures due to chemical reactions that occur because
of enamel contact with acidic agents that might be intrinsic or extrinsic
❖ Non carious loss of tooth of cervical enamel occurs because of occlusal loading
causing flexure and material fatigue
❖ Cracks on surface enamel propagate to cause cuspal fracture. When these extend
through dentin or the patient has pain while chewing, tooth requires a restoration that
covers the cuspal regions.
❖ Pits and fissures on the cuspal regions of enamel are the most vulnerable to caries.
These narrow clefts provide area for acidogenic bacteria growth
❖ Enamel pearls are the deposition of enamel other than surface or subsurface enamel
like roots usually on the bifurcations.

INCREMENTAL LINES

During development the exact position of the enamel after changes in the secretory rhythm
chemical positions or the developing enamel fronts are recorded as the incremental lines.
Incremental lines are very important in forensics because it allows us to determine the age of
a person. Change in metabolism can cause hypo mineralized incremental lines
There are two main types of incremental lines
1. Short period ( cross striations)
2. Long period (enamel striae)

CROSS STRIATIONS
Diurnal incremental lines that are formed after every 24 hours are called cross striations. In
these enamel prisms are at right angle to their long axes. But the prism appearance is
regularly changed because of the slight changes in the organic matrix or crystals orientation.
These striations occur as dark and light bands.

ENAMEL STRIAE

Enamel striae also called Striae of Retzius are prominent lines run obliquely across enamel
prism to the surface. If we consider horizontal sections then these are seen in the form of
concentric circles or rings. The interval ranges between 6-12 days.
The time interval between the formations of consecutive striae of Retzius is called repeat
interval and can be determined by counting the number of prism cross-striations between
them enamel straie mainly forms the enamel fronts. But the way enamel is deposited striae
never reaches the surface once the demineralisations occurs and all the enamel is lost. In
humans 7-10 cross striations between straies occur in one individual. That’s why straie are
formed at weekly intervals.
In deciduous teeth enamel striae and perikymata are distinctively seen in the cervical enamel.
In cervical enamel straies are closer together while in lateral enamel straie reaches surface
and ends in grooves around the crown.
Enamel straie are less pronounced or absent at the time of birth this proves that prism
changes their direction and thickness at birth
ENAMEL DEFECTS

❖ ENAMEL LAMELLAE
Enamel lamellar are hypo mineralized structural defects that are sheet like and
extends through the entire enamel length. They mainly develops because of
the incomplete maturation of the prism groups and can also occur because of
the after eruption cracks

❖ ENAMEL TUFTS
These are the junction structures that are mainly present in the inner third of
the enamel. These are also hypo mineralized but occur due to the residual
enamel organ matrix, tufts contain tufelin a non amelogenic protein
❖ ENAMEL SPINDLES
Enamel spindles are the extension of odontoblast processes within he dentinal
tubule that do not ends on the enamel dentine junction but crosses it. These are
mainly seen in the cusp tips. In the erupted teeth the tubules do not contain the
cell processes.