ENAMEL ROD

- Enamel is composed of millions of rods arranged in rows circumferentially

around the long axis of the tooth.
-Densely packed, and intertwined in a wavy course, and each extends from the
DEJ to the external surface of the tooth
- In LGS, most appear to travel in a parallel line perpendicular to the DEJ and
meet the surface at different angles depending on the relative shape of the DEJ
and the outer surface.
- In deciduous teeth, just above the cervical margin rods meet the surface
horizontally whereas more occlusaly they meet the surface obliquely
-Within fissures rods make surface
angles as acute as 20.

-In permanent teeth the rods

follow the same direction except
near the CEJ where they tilt
slightly toward the root of the
tooth.
-Keyhole pattern showing head and
tail region; with the tail of one rod
lying between heads of adjacent rods
and pointing cervically.

- Enamel crystals in the head of the

rod are oriented parallel to the long
axis of the rod, whereas in the tail of
the rod, the crystals’ orientation
diverge slightly from the long axis (65)

- The keyhole pattern is not accurate,

the basic organizational pattern of
enamel is described more
appropriately as cylindrical rods
embedded in the interrod enamel.
HUNTER – SCHREGER BANDS

-These are alternate dark and light

bands in the inner 2/3 of enamel seen
in longitudinal ground section under
reflected light.

-Enamel rods have a wavy course from

DEJ to the surface. When the tooth is
sectioned, some rods are cut
longitudinally and some are cut
transversely

Longitudinally – dark
Transversely – light

-The change in direction of rods is

responsible for the appearance of H-S
bands (hence, no H-S bands re seen in
outer third of enamel where all rods
run in the same direction)
GNARLED ENAMEL
-In the region of cusps and
incisal edges, bundles of rods
appear twisted around each
other (as they are arranged
around a small ring of
circumference) This is
referred to as gnarled
enamel.

-This arrangement of rods

makes the enamel stronger
to withstand masticatory
forces
 CROSS STRIATIONS
-In GS cross striation appear as lines that cross enamel rods at right angle to their long axis,
being about 4 um apart ( toward the cervical margin where enamel is deposited more slowly
the cross striation may be only 2 um apart.

-In electron microscope , cross striation are not visible instead along the length of the rods
alternating narrowing is visible producing the impression of cross striation.

-They may be caused by regular variation in the rod width, sudden changes in the nature of
the organic matrix and crystal orientation.

LGS Scanning Electron Micrograph

 STRIAE OF RETZIUS
-They represent a weekly rhythm in enamel formation
-In LGS, they appear as prominent lines running obliquely across the rods from DEJ towards
the surface.
- Where the Striae of Retzius reach the surface, in the cervical region, they produce distinct
grooves or depressions; Perikymata
- Over the cusp tips and incisal edge they do not reach the surface unless there has been
enamel loss.
- Formed 1st during the early periods of enamel
Formation.
PERIKYMATA

-Represent the outer

manifestations of Striae of
Retzius.
- They are absent over the
cusps and incisal edges
because Striae do not reach
the surface.
- Usually lost through tooth
wear, except on the protected
cervical regions of some teeth
 NEONATAL LINE
-The enamel of teeth forms partly before birth and partly after birth. The boundary between these two
types of enamel is formed by an accentuated incremental line known as Neonatal line.

-This line is seen in all deciduous teeth and first permanent molars.

-It reflects the sensitivity of the ameloblasts during this event as a result of abrupt change in the
environment and
nutrition of newborn.

-Striae of Retzius are less pronounced or absent from enamel formed before birth.
DENTIN-ENAMEL-JUNCTION
Represent the junction between
enamel and dentin.
Shallow depressions of Dentin fit
with the small projections of
Enamel.
Appears as a scalloped line.

The irregular shape enables a firm

hold between enamel and dentin.

The scalloped appearance is most

pronounced beneath cusps and
incisal edges where masticatory
stresses are great.
ENAMEL SPINDLES
- Narrow, club shaped structure
extending for a short distance
from the DEJ into enamel

- Represent odontoblast
processes that insert themselves
between the ameloblasts and
when enamel starts to mineralize
around them, they become
trapped to form enamel spindles.

- Most frequently seen beneath

cusps and incisal edges
ENAMEL TUFTS
- Seen extending from the DEJ
up to the inner third of enamel.

- Occur developmentally as
structural defects representing
hypomineralized structures
containing more enamel
proteins.

- Best seen in TGS but can also

be seen in carefully decalcified
sections (due to their high
protein content)
ENAMEL LAMELLAE
•They are thin structures that extend
from the enamel surface towards the
dentinoenamel junction.
•Hypomineralized, and best seen in
transverse sections.
•May arise:
-Developmentally; they would be
filled with enamel proteins
-After eruption; filled with salivary
proteins

•These may be confused with cracks

which are caused by artifacts
(carefully demineralized section is
used to differentiate)
ROD-END MARKINGS

-In some areas, particularly

cervically, where the
reduced enamel epithelium
persists for some time after
eruption, small pits are seen
within the Perikymata.

- These pits represent the

impression of the distal end
of ameloblasts.
RODLESS ENAMEL
-Rodless enamel is more
abundant on all surface of
deciduous teeth.

- In permanent teeth it is
found only in protected areas
such as cervically and
interproximally as it is lost by
wear (abrasion, attrition,
erosion.

- Rodless enamel interferes

with the penetration of
adhesives into the enamel.

- Should be removed by acid

etching before treatment.
 SALIVARY PELLICLE, PLAQUE, AND CALCULUS
-As the tooth erupts, enamel is immediately covered by a thin film,
derived mainly from the salivary proteins known as salivary pellicle.

- It always reappears as teeth have been polished mechanically

- In the absence of adequate oral hygiene, salivary pellicle which

usually serves as a protective coat can promote dental plaque and
calculus formation, especially in more protected area of the dentition.