STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF DENTAL ENAMEL

Enamel is the hardest dental tissue which covers the

crown of the tooth and makes it longer lasting. The part
of the tooth covered with enamel is called anatomical
tooth crown. Enamel is susceptible to cracking due to
high chewing pressure. Once formed, enamel consists of
96% of inorganic matter called calcium
hydroxyapatite, 3% water, and a very small part of
organic matrix enamelin – only 1%. In addition to
enamel, calcium hydroxyapatite can be found in dentin,
cement, and bone tissue. The crystals of calcium
hydroxyapatite are 30 times larger in enamel than in
dentine, which gives a greater hardness to enamel.
Enamel composition
Hydroxyapatite crystals of enamel rods (prisms)
The structure of enamel consists of enamel prisms
which extend from the dentinoenamel junction to the
surface of the enamel. Each enamel prism is made up
of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals. The prisms are
parallel, but have a wavy flow, which creates an optical
phenomenon of darker and lighter zones when
viewing the longitudinal section under a microscope.
These zones are called Hunter-Schreger bands and
can only be seen under a microscope.
Hunter-Schreger bands
Enamel is rhythmically deposited and mineralized
during tooth development. This rhythmicality can best
be seen on the incremental stripes, i.e. growth lines.
They were first described by the Swedish doctor
Magnus Retzius which is why they are known as striae
of Retzius. The most strongly pronounced growth
line separating the prenatal from the postnatal enamel
of milk teeth is called the neonatal line. When striae
of Retzius reach the enamel surface, create little dips.
These formations are called perikymata. They are
much more pronounced on the vestibular surfaces of
the teeth.
Striae fo Retzius
Perikymata
ENAMEL LAMELLAE
Enamel lamellae are cracks in the enamel which are
visible to the naked eye. They can form during
maturation of the tooth enamel or as a reaction to
strong thermal or mechanical stimulus. When formed,
enamel lamellae extend from the surface of the enamel
to the dentinoenamel junction.
Enamel lamellae
ENAMEL SPINDLES
These are small morphological defects on the surface
of the dentinoenamel junction. They extend over a
small area of the enamel and can only be found on one
fifth of the enamel surface. They are made of organic
matrix.
Enamel spindles
ENAMEL TUFTS
The tufts have a starting point on the dentinoenamel
junction and extend deep through the enamel. The
enamel tufts start from the dentin tubules. Since
dentin is formed before enamel, these parts enter the
enamel, forming tubule around it. Enamel tufts are
most commonly found in the area of dental cusps.
Enamel tufts
APRISMATIC ENAMEL
Aprismatic enamel can be found near the surface of
the enamel. We find it on the enamel of milk teeth and
in approximately 70% of permanent teeth. Aprismatic
enamel is made up of densely packed crystals. Due to
attrition, aprismatic enamel disappears from the
surface of the tooth, especially in the masticatory
parts, while remaining in the neck enamel region the
longest. Acids dissolve the surface of the enamel,
causing the demineralization of enamel prisms.
Aprismatic and prismatic enamel
BUMPY ENAMEL
A helical change in the direction of enamel prisms can
occur in the area of cusps and incisal ridges. This
phenomenon is called bumpy enamel. Bumpy enamel
does not have any particular clinical meaning.
Bumpy enamel
LOSS OF ENAMEL DURING A LIFETIME
Attrition – loss of enamel due to masticatory or
parafunctional forces. Most commonly seen on the
edges of incisors and masticatory surfaces of
premolars and molars.
Abrasion – loss of enamel caused by friction of a
tooth brush against the surface of the tooth or some
other abrasive agent. The most common locations are
the neck parts of tooth crowns. Canines are more
exposed to abrasion due to their position.
Caries – the loss of enamel caused by reciprocal
action of acids and cariogenic bacteria. Most
commonly affected areas are masticatory surfaces,
especially fissures and pits.
Abfraction – the cracking of enamel caused by
parafunctional movement and great load. It affects
vestibular and oral surfaces.
Erosion – the loss of enamel during one’s lifetime
caused by the acids from food and drink, i.e. gastric
acid reflux into the oral cavity. Erosion most
commonly affects the oral surfaces of the tooth, and
sometimes the entire crown.
Caries
NASMYTH’S MEMBRANE
Research of the enamel surface of erupted teeth
conducted under a microscope show the presence of
organic membrane called Nasmyth’s membrane. The
thickness of this membrane is about 1µm (micron) and
is caused by the degeneration of the enamel epithelial
cells. The reason for its existence is the protection of
immature enamel from the acids of oral cavity.
Nasmyth’s membrane