In mineralization, minerals are deposited in hard tissues, such as the teeth or bones, for hardening. In the body, there is a permanent balance between mineralization and demineralization. In the case of a mineral deficiency or other mineralization disorders, this balance is disturbed.
What is mineralization?
In mineralization, minerals are deposited in hard tissues, such as the teeth or bones, for hardening. On hard tissues, such as the teeth or the bones, there is a permanent gradual incorporation of inorganic substances into the organic matrix. These substances are mainly salts such as hydroxyapatite, phosphate or fluoride. Calcium is one of the most important substances in bone formation. The process of incorporation is controlled by the organic matrix. Collagen plays a key role in the control processes. The described processes are called mineralization or mineralization. In the context of bones, mineralization accounts for a large part of ossification and fracture healing. The opposite process is known as demineralization. Salts are dissolved out of the hard tissues in this process. What remains is the collagenous matrix. Demineralization and mineralization are physiologically in harmony in the hard tissues of the human organism. Another term from this field is remineralization, i.e. the re-storage of inorganic substances after demineralization. Mineralization occurs mainly during the reformation of hard tissues.
Function and task
Living bone is permanently directed by the bone-building osteoblasts and the bone-removing osteoclasts according to current functional needs. Bone formation (osteogenesis) competes with bone resorption (osteolysis) throughout life. Mineralization permanently competes with demineralization. Osteoblasts release a basic organic substance called bone matrix. This basic substance is subsequently mineralized under the mediation of the osteoblasts. The mineralization processes depend on the amount of phosphate and calcium in the plasma. The control of osteoblasts and thus of mineralization is subject to the influence of hormones such as parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and calcitriol. Estrogens, somatotropin and glucocorticoids also assume control functions in bone cell activity and thus in all mineralization and demineralization processes. Thanks to the balanced alternation of mineralization and demineralization, the skeleton can be continually adapted to new stresses and needs without breaking. Due to these continuous processes, humans receive a new skeleton approximately every seven years. The hormones involved provide the necessary minerals and vitamins for mineralization in high quantities. In this way, they mobilize the working materials of the osteoblasts, so to speak, and show additional stimulating effects on the cells of bone formation. For the mineralization of bone and the absorption of calcium from the intestine, vitamin D is absolutely necessary, which is obtained primarily through exposure to sunlight. Constant build-up and breakdown processes also take place on the teeth. Saliva plays a key role in these processes. Tooth enamel consists of around 98 percent embedded minerals. It is these minerals that give teeth their extreme hardness and thus give people their biting strength. Tooth enamel mainly contains calcium, phosphorus and magnesium or fluoride. Food acids expose the enamel to constant demineralization. Saliva protects teeth from enamel loss and remineralizes minor enamel damage with its minerals. On the other hand, saliva also contains microorganisms to break down excessive enamel. Thus, it occupies a key position in the cycle of mineralization and demineralization.
Diseases and ailments
Pathological mineralization is present, for example, in concrements. These are solid bodies in the cavities of the body that consist of dissolved hard substance particles. In this context, hard dental plaque under the marginal gingiva is referred to as calculus. The tartar concrement is formed by minerals from saliva that accumulate on plaque. Genetic factors are associated with the tendency to tartar formation. Lack of mineralization on the teeth and bones may be due to mineral deficiency.Mineralization disorders are widespread and are usually associated with abnormal calcium phosphate levels. The concentrations of the two substances are interdependent due to the constant solubility product. Much of the calcium and phosphate supply is deposited in bone as hydroxyapatite. If an imbalance of one of the two minerals occurs in the body or the absorption of the substances in the gastrointestinal tract becomes imbalanced with the excretion of substances by the kidneys, the fluctuations in concentration are counteracted either by storage or de-storage. Both can assume pathological proportions. Such a phenomenon is present in the context of rickets. In adults, this clinical picture is known as osteomalacia. The most common form of rickets is calcium deficiency rickets, which is preceded by vitamin D deficiency. The dentition can also be affected by mineralization disorders. Examples include amelogenesis imperfecta and dentinogenesis imperfecta. Amelogenesis imperfecta is a genetic disorder that disrupts the formation of enamel and outer tooth structure. Dentinogenesis imperfecta is also a genetic disease. Instead of the formation of the tooth enamel, the formation of the inner tooth substance and thus of the dentin is disturbed in this disease. Mineralization problems can already affect the milk dentition. If only individual teeth are affected, it is called a localized disorder. If all teeth are affected, the dentist speaks of a genereralized mineralization disorder. Mineralization-disturbed teeth are yellowish to brown in color and often show chipping of the enamel. Changes in shape, increased sensitivity to temperature and a tendency to caries are also often part of the clinical picture. The cause is a deficiency of minerals in the tooth enamel. The reasons for this deficiency have not been conclusively researched.
