Chemistry of enamel

Question 1

What is the crystal unit cell formula?

Answer 1

Ca10 (PO4)6(OH)2

Question 2

what is the hierarchy of structure in dental enamel?

Answer 2

Enamel, Dentine, Enamel Prisms , Enamel Crystals

Question 3

The apatite in our bones and teeth is not pure (contains relatively small amounts of other ions e.g……………………. + ……………………….. + ……………..
This i why it is sometimes termed ……………../…………….. hydroxyapatite

Answer 3

Carbonate, magnesium and fluoride

substituted / carbonated

Question 4

Calcium hydroxyapatite occurs in nature in non-biological systems such us …………….. the difference to biological systems is there are many other crystal and can very in size

Answer 4

Grante

Question 5

Carbonate molars (inset picture here)

Answer 5

consentrations arise from the enamel surface at 2% towrds the dentine where consentration of 4-6% are found
pockets opf high concentration may be found in ceratian areas such at fissure enamel in molars

Question 6

Magnesium molars (insert picture)

Answer 6

magnesium concentration are about one tenth of those of carbonate but show a very similar distribution pattern. concentration increase towrds the dentine surface. 0.2 % at the enamel surface and 0.5% close to denttne.
grdient is less smooth than thoses for carbonate, wioth isolated pockets of high concentratoin close to hthe dentine

Question 7

Magnesium Incisors (insert picture)

Answer 7

sdaem distribution can be see in insciors so it is idependetn of morpohology, in the diagram you can see that low dentisty and high magneisum got together

Question 8

Magnesium Mesio/distal slice (insert picture)

Answer 8

the same pattern are obtained if section are taken M/D this is important because caries start inb beteen the teeth. he high magnesium patches near the surface could be importnat

Question 9

fluroride distrbution in molar enamel (insert picture)

Answer 9

Fluoride is the complete opposite of carbonate and magnesium. the outermost enamel contains the most fluoride

Question 10

Calcium and phosphorou distribution in molar (insert pcturd)

Answer 10

the density of apatite decreases from surface to nterior with low density of minerals near the fissure. presumably more water, space and maybe proteins exists in the inner egions due to pooor prismatic packing

Question 11

dentistsy distrubtion in mature human enamel

Answer 11

the density of cystals/prsms throughout the enamel whioch determine mneral content. in gerneal this decreases from the tooth sirface towrds the dentine, whle porosity, water and organic content increases in this direction