Enamel Flashcards
describe enamel
hardest tissue in the body, resists abrasion, brittle, supported by dentine, covers tooth crown, varies in thickness, translucent, transparency increases with mineralisation
when is crystallite orientation determined
during enamel formation
where are crystallites deposited
at right angles to ameloblast membrane
what is special about surface enamel
it is more mineralised and harder than deeper enamel
comment on the hardness of enamel
it decreases from cusp tip/incisal edge to cervical region
what is a basic unit of enamel
enamel rod (or prism)
where do the rods run from
amelodentinal junction to surface
what do enamel rods contain
hydroxyapatite crystallites
what is the content of enamel
hydroxyapatite (95%), water (4%) and organic matrix (1%)
what is on the enamel surface
smooth surface and pits and fissures
