Pharmacy home  >>  Dentistry Articles  >>  Tooth enamel

Tooth enamel

Tooth enamel is the most highly mineralized and hardest substance of the body. Enamel is one of the three major parts of the human tooth, the others being dentin and cementum. It is the dental tissue of a tooth which usually is visible in the mouth and must be supported by underlying dentin. Minerals compose 96% of enamel, with water and organic material composing the rest . Since enamel is semi-translucent, the color of dentin and any restorative dental material underneath the enamel highly affects the outer appearance of the tooth. The color of enamel is a light yellow to grayish white. It varies in thickness over the surface of the tooth. Often, enamel is thickest at the cusp, up to 2.5 mm, and the thickness tapers down to a miniscule amount at its border, which is clinically seen as the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). Enamel's primary mineral component is hydroxyapatite, which is a crystalline calcium phosphate . The very large amount of minerals in enamel accounts for its strength, but also for its brittleness . Thus, dentin, which is less mineralized and less brittle, compensates for enamel and is necessary as a support .

The organic portion of enamel does not contain collagen, as dentin and bone does. Instead, it has two unique classes of proteins called amelogenins and enamelins. The role of these proteins is not understood fully at this time, but it is believed that these proteins aid in the development of enamel as a framework support among other functions .

Structure

The basic unit of enamel is called an enamel rod . Measuring 4 µm wide to 8 µm high, an enamel rod (formerly called an enamel prism) is a tightly packed mass of hydroxyapatite crystals in an organized pattern . In cross section, it is best compared to a keyhole with the top, or head, oriented toward the crown of the tooth and the bottom, or tail, oriented toward the root of the tooth. The arrangement of the crystals within each enamel rod is highly complex and is not fully explained here. Both the cells which initiate enamel formation, known as ameloblasts, and Tomes’ processes affect the crystals’ pattern. Basically, the enamel crystals are oriented parallel to the long axis of the rod when the crystal is in the head of the enamel rod . When found in the tail of the enamel rod, the crystal’s orientation diverges slightly from long axis.

The arrangement of enamel rods is understood more clearly. Enamel rods are found in rows along the tooth. Within each row, the long axis of the enamel rod generally is perpendicular to the underlying dentin . In permanent teeth, the enamel rods near the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) tilt slightly more toward the root of the tooth than would be expected. Knowing the orientation of enamel is very important in restorative dentistry because enamel unsupported by underlying dentin is prone to fracture and usually is avoided .

The area around the enamel rod is known as interrod enamel. Interrod enamel has the same composition as the enamel rods. Nonetheless, a histologic distinction is made between the two because crystal orientation is different in each .

Development

Enamel formation is part of the overall process of tooth development. When the tissues of the developing tooth are seen under a microscope, different cellular aggregations can be identified, including structures known as the enamel organ, dental lamina, and dental papilla . The generally recognized stages of tooth development are the bud stage, cap stage, bell stage, and crown (or calcification) stage. Enamel formation is first seen under the microscope in the crown stage.

Amelogenesis, or enamel formation, occurs after the first establishment of dentin and via cells known as ameloblasts. Human enamel forms at a rate of ~4 µm per day and begins at the future location of cusps around 3-4 months in utero . As in all human processes, the creation of enamel is complex, but it would be fitting to view the process in two stages . The first stage, called the secretory stage, involves proteins and the organic matrix and results in a partially mineralized enamel. The second stage, called the maturation stage, completes enamel mineralization.

In the secretory stage, the ameloblasts are polarized columnar cells. In the rough endoplasmic reticulum of these cells, enamel proteins are released into the surrounding area and contribute to what is known as the enamel matrix, which is almost immediately mineralized partially by the enzyme alkaline phosphatase. When this first layer is formed, the ameloblasts move away from the dentin, allowing for the development of Tomes’ processes at the apical pole of the cell. Enamel formation continues around the adjoining ameloblasts, resulting in a walled area resembling a pit in which the Tomes’ process lies, and around the end of the Tomes’ process, resulting in deposition of matrix inside the pits . The matrix within the pits will eventually become enamel rods, and the walls will eventually become interrod enamel. The only distinguishing factor between the two is the orientation of the crystals.

In the maturation stage, the ameloblasts act as cells transporting substances for the formation of enamel. Histologically, the most notable aspect of this phase is that these cells become striated or have a ruffled border . These signs demonstrate that the ameloblasts have changed their function from production as in the secretory stage to transportation. Proteins compose most of the transported material. These are used for the final mineralization process. The noteworthy proteins involved are amelogenins, ameloblastins, enamelins, and tuftelins . During this process, amelogenins and ameloblastins are removed after use, leaving enamelins and tuftelin in the enamel . By the end of this stage, the enamel has completed its mineralization.

Sometime before the tooth erupts into the mouth, but after the maturation stage, the ameloblasts are broken down. Consequently, enamel, unlike many other tissues of the body, has no way to regenerate itself . After destruction of enamel from decay or injury, neither the body nor a dentist can restore the enamel tissue. Enamel can be affected further by non-pathologic processes. The discoloration of teeth over time can result from exposure to substances such as tobacco, coffee, and tea . This is partly due to material building up in the enamel, but is also an effect of the underlying dentin becoming sclerotic . As a result, tooth color gradually darkens with age. Additionally, enamel becomes less permeable to fluids, less soluble to acid, and contains less water .

Destruction

The high mineral content of enamel, which makes this tissue the hardest in the human body, also makes it susceptible to a demineralization process which often occurs as dental caries, otherwise known as cavities . Demineralization occurs for several reasons, but the most important cause of tooth decay is the ingestion of sugars. Sugars from candies, soft drinks, and even fruit juices play a significant role in tooth decay, and consequently in enamel destruction. There is already a great number and variety of bacteria residing in the mouth. When sucrose, the most common of sugars, coats the surface of the mouth, some intraoral bacteria interact with it and form lactic acid, which decreases the pH in the mouth. . Then, the hydroxyapatite crystals of enamel demineralize, allowing for greater bacterial invasion deeper into the tooth. The most important bacteria involved with tooth decay is Streptococcus mutans, but the number and type of bacteria varies with the progress of tooth destruction . Furthermore, tooth morphology dictates that the most common site for the initiation of dental caries is in the deep grooves, pits, and fissures of enamel. This is expected because these locations are impossible to reach with a toothbrush and allow for bacteria to reside. When demineralization of enamel occurs, a dentist can use a sharp instrument, such as a dental explorer, and “feel a stick” at the location of the decay. As enamel continues to become less mineralized and is unable to prevent the encroachment of bacteria, the underlying dentin becomes affected as well. When dentin, which normally supports enamel, is destroyed by a physiologic condition or by decay, enamel is unable to compensate for its brittleness and breaks away from the tooth easily.

The extent to which tooth decay is likely, known as cariogenicity, depends on factors such as how retentive the sugar is to the teeth. Contrary to common belief, not the amount of sugar ingested but the frequency of sugar ingestion is the most important factor in the causation of tooth decay. When the pH in the mouth initially decreases from the ingestion of sugars, the enamel is demineralized and left vulnerable for about 30 minutes. Eating a greater quantity of sugar in one sitting does not increase the time of demineralization. Similarly, eating a lesser quantity of sugar in one sitting does not decrease the time of demineralization. Thus, a great quantity of sugar at one time in the day will be less detrimental than a very small quantity ingested in many intervals throughout the day. For example, in terms of oral health, it is better to eat a very large dessert at dinnertime than to snack on a single, small bag of candy throughout the entire workday. In addition to bacterial invasion, enamel is also susceptible to other destructive forces. Bruxism, also known as clenching of or grinding on teeth, destroys enamel very quickly. The wear rate of enamel, called attrition, is 8 micrometers a year from normal factors. A common misperception is that enamel wears away mostly from chewing, but actually teeth rarely touch during chewing. Furthermore, normal tooth contact is compensated physiologically by the periodontal ligaments (pdl) and the arrangement of dental occlusion. The truly destructive forces are the parafunctional movements, as found in bruxism, whcih can cause irreversible damage to the enamel. Other non-bacterial processes of enamel destruction include abrasion (involving foreign elements, such as a toothbrushes), erosion (involving chemical processes, such as lemon juice), and possibly abfraction (involving compressive and tensile forces)

Oral hygiene and fluoride

Considering the vulnerability of enamel to demineralize and the daily menace of sugar ingestion, prevention of tooth decay is the best way to maintain the health of teeth. Most countries have wide use of toothbrushes, which can reduce the number of bacteria and food particles on enamel. Some isolated societies do not have access to toothbrushes, but it is common for those people to use other objects, such as sticks, to clean their teeth. In between two adjacent teeth, floss is used to wipe the enamel surfaces free of plaque and food particles to discourage bacterial growth. Although neither floss nor toothbrushes can penetrate the deep grooves and pits of enamel, good general oral health habits can usually prevent enough bacterial growth to keep tooth decay from starting.

These methods of oral hygiene have been helped greatly by the use of fluoride. Fluoride can be found in many locations naturally, such as the ocean and other water sources. Consequently, many seafood dishes contain fluoride. The recommended dosage of fluoride in drinking water is 1 part per million (ppm) . Fluoride helps prevent dental decay by binding to the hydroxyapatite crystals in enamel . The incorporated fluoride makes enamel more resistant to demineralization and, thus, resistant to decay . Fluoride therapy is used to help teeth prevent dental decay.

Many groups of people have spoken out against fluorinated drinking water. One example used by these advocates is the damage fluoride can do as fluorosis. Fluorosis is a condition resulting from the overexposure to fluoride, especially between the ages of 6 months to 5 years, and appears as mottled enamel [35]. Consequently, the teeth look unsightly and, indeed, the incidence of dental decay in those teeth is very small. In spite of this, most substances, even helpful ones, taken in extreme are detrimental. Where fluoride is found naturally in high concentrations, filters are often used to decrease the amount of fluoride in water. For this reason, codes have been developed by dental professionals to limit the amount of fluoride a person should take [36]. These codes are supported by the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. The acute toxic dose of fluoride is ~5 mg/kg of body weight. Furthermore, whereas topical fluoride, found in toothpaste and mouthwashes, does not cause fluorosis, its effects are also less pervasive and not as long-lasting as those of systemic fluoride, such as when drinking fluorinated water [37]. For instance, all of a tooth's enamel gains the benefits of fluoride when it is ingested systemically, through fluorinated water or salt fluoridation (a common alternative in Europe). Only some of the outer surfaces of enamel can be reached by topical fluoride. Thus, one of the greatest successes in dental health care has been the inclusion of fluoride in public water to decrease tooth decay.

Effects of Dental Procedures on Enamel

Dental Restorations

Most dental restorations involve the removal of enamel. Frequently, the purpose of removal is to gain access to the underlying decay in the dentin or inflammation in the pulp. This is typically the case in amalgam restorations and endodontic treatment.

Nonetheless, enamel can sometimes be removed before there is any decay present. The process of placing dental sealants involves removing healthy enamel in the deep fissures and grooves of a tooth and replacing it with a restorative material . Sealants are unique in that they are preventative restorations for protection from future decay and have shown to reduce the risk of decay by 55% over 7 years.

Aesthetics is another reason for the removal of enamel. Removing enamel is necessary when placing crowns and veneers to enhance the appearance of teeth. In both of these instances, it is important to keep in mind the orientation of enamel rods because it is possible to leave enamel unsupported by underlying dentin, leaving that portion of the prepared teeth more vulnerable to fracture .

Acid-Etching Techniques

Invented in 1955, acid-etching employs dental etchants and is used frequently when bonding dental restoration to teeth . This is important for long-term use of some materials, such as composites and sealants. By dissolving minerals in enamel, etchants remove the outer 10 micrometers on the enamel surface and makes a porous layer 5 - 50 micrometers deep. This roughens the enamel microscopically and results in a greater surface area on which to bond.

The effects of acid-etching on enamel can vary. Important variables are the amount of time the etchant is applied, the type of etchant used, and the current condition of the enamel .

There are three types of patterns formed by acid-etching . Type 1 is a pattern where predominantly the enamel rods are dissolved; type 2 is a pattern where predominantly the area around the enamel rods are dissolved; and type 3 is a pattern where there is no evidence left of any enamel rods. Besides concluding that type 1 is the most favorable pattern and type 3 the least, the explanation for these different patterns is not known for certain but is most commonly attributed to different crystal orientation in the enamel.

Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening, or tooth bleaching, procedures attempt to lighten a tooth's color in either of two ways: by chemical or mechanical action .

Working chemically, a bleaching agent is used to carry out an oxidation reaction in the enamel and dentin. The agents most commonly used to intrinsically change the color of teeth are hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide . A tooth whitening product with an overall low pH can put enamel at risk for decay or destruction by demineralization. Consequently, care should be taken and risk evaluated when choosing a product which is very acidic .

Tooth whiteners in toothpastes work through a mechanical action. They have mild abrasives which aid in the removal of stains on enamel. Although this can be an effective method, it does not alter the intrinsic color of teeth .

Microabrasion techniques employ both methods. An acid is used first to weaken the outer 22 - 27 micrometers of enamel in order to weaken it enough for the subsequent abrasive force . This allows for removal of superficial stains in the enamel. If the discoloration is deeper or in the dentin, this method of tooth whitening will not be successful.

Other anatomical features of enamel

The rod sheath is the border where the crystals of enamel rods and the crystals of interrod enamel meet.

Formed from changes in diameter of Tomes’ processes, striae of Retzius are stripes that appear on enamel when viewed microscopically in cross-section . These stripes demonstrate the growth of enamel similar to the annual rings on a tree. Darker than the other stripes, the neonatal line is the stripe that separates the enamel formed before and after birth .

Gnarled enamel is found over the cusps of teeth . The twisted appearance results from the orientation of enamel rods and the rows in which they lie.

Perikymata are shallow furrows where the striae of Retzius end .

Enamel Disorders

There are many different types of Amelogenesis imperfecta. The hypocalcification type, which is the most common, is an autosomal dominant condition that results in enamel that is not completely mineralized. Consequently, enamel easily flakes off the teeth, which appear yellow because of the revealed dentin. The hypoplastic type is X-linked and results in normal enamel that appears in too little quantity, having the same effect as the most common type .

Chronic bilirubin encephalopathy, which can result from erythroblastosis fetalis, is a disease which has numerous effects on an infant, but it can also cause enamel hypoplasia and green staining of enamel .

Enamel hypoplasia is broadly defined to encompass all deviations from normal enamel in its various degrees of absence . The missing enamel could be localized, forming a small pit, or it could be completely absent.

Erythropoietic porphyria is a genetic disease resulting in the deposition of porphyrins throughout the body. These deposits also occur in enamel and leave an appearance described as red in color and fluorescent .

Fluorosis leads to mottled enamel and occurs from overexposure to fluoride .

Tetracycline staining leads to brown bands on the areas of developing enamel. As a result, tetracycline is contraindicated in pregnant women.

Enamel in non-human Animals

For the most part, research has shown that enamel does not vary consistently between humans and non-humans. Enamel formation in animals is described almost identically to formation in humans. The enamel organ, including the dental papilla, and ameloblasts function similiarly . The variations of enamel that are present are infrequent but sometimes important. Differences exist, however, in the morphology, number, and types of teeth among animals.

Dogs are less likely than humans to have tooth decay due to the very high pH of dog saliva, which prevents an acidic environment from forming and the subsequent demineralization of enamel which would occur . In the event that tooth decay does occur (usually from trauma), dogs receive dental fillings just as humans do. Similar to human teeth, the enamel of dogs is vulnerable to tetracycline staining. Consequently, this risk must be accounted for when tetracycline antibiotic therapy is administered to young dogs . Enamel hypoplasia may also occur in dogs .

The mineral distribution in rodent enamel is different than that of monkeys, dogs, pigs, and humans . In horse teeth, the enamel and dentin layers are intertwined with each other, which increases the strength and decreases the wear rate of those teeth.