Synonyms
substantia adamantina
How is dental enamel structured?
Enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body. About 95% of it consists of inorganic material, which means that there are no living cells, blood vessels or nerves. It is built up by the ameloblasts at the beginning of life.
After that, they perish, which is why it cannot be regenerated again. Various elements are contained in it, among others: Calcium, sodium, fats and proteins. The largest part, however, consists of hydroxilapatite.
This is a mineral that contains, among other things, phosphate. In contact with fluorides, fluorapatite can be formed, which is much harder and less susceptible to external stimuli. This is the reason for the positive effect of daily fluoridation through toothpaste.
Furthermore, the tooth enamel is composed of enamel prisms, whereby the length of the prisms determines the enamel thickness (max. 2.5 mm). The prisms in turn are connected by inter-prismatic enamel, which gives the high stability.
Enamel cuticle
On the surface of the tooth enamel the enamel cuticle is formed. It is a thin film of organic material that also covers the remaining surfaces in the oral cavity. When brushing the teeth, this film is removed from the enamel, but it quickly forms again from components of the saliva.
The cuticle is something completely different from bacterial plaque. It has no pathogenic significance. The development of the enamel begins in the jawbone before it breaks through into the oral cavity.
At the breakthrough it is completed. The cells that produce the enamel are called ameloblasts or adamantoblasts. After the formation of enamel is complete, the ameloblasts perish, as they are no longer needed.
During enamel formation, fluoride can be incorporated into the hydroxyapatite. This is possible by administering low doses of fluoride tablets to the children. Excessive doses of fluoride can lead to so-called fluorosis. This leads to discoloration of the enamel, which does not destroy the enamel, but does affect cosmetics. Therefore, the dentist’s dosage instructions should be followed.
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