Enamel Tissue Flashcards
Enamel is the hardest one of the how many mineralized tissues in the body?
4
Of the 4 tissues of a tooth, enamel is the only one that isn’t a connective tissue. What is it?
An ectodermal derived tissue formed by a specialized epithelial cell called an ameloblast.
Of the 4 mineralized tissues, enamel is the only one that doesn’t have what formation stage?
An unmineralized/preenamel stage
What 2 stages does enamel have?
Immature - partially mineralized
Mature - fully mineralized
Why is enamel formation finite?
Because the ameloblast completes its enamel formative cycle once the thickness of enamel is reached at a given site. (Thickest coronally.)
What is the first mineralized tissue to appear in a developing tooth?
Dentin. Enamel is second.
What can cause malformations in enamel?
Genetic and external factors. Age changes. Self-induced habits.
Where is the thickest enamel in the mouth?
Around the cusp of carabelli. It’s around 2.5 mm there.
What is the high falutin definition of enamel?
A composite biological mineral with apatite crystals oriented in the complex 3D pattern.
How hard is enamel?
It’s the hardest, most highly mineralized biological tissue. It’s as hard as mild steel. Apatite is 5 on Mohs mineral hardness scale.
T or F: Attrition is normal?
True. It’s the slow wearing away of tooth substance under the stress of mastication.
Is abrasion normal or not?
Not.
Is erosion normal or not?
Not.
What is microporosity?
Microscopic pathways in enamel for the diffusion of small molecules such as water.
Electrochemical effect on enamel pore walls lead to whaT?
Carious lesions.
