Enamel and Tooth Anatomy

Flashcards to assist in understanding the anatomy, properties, and defects related to tooth enamel.

What is the primary composition of enamel?

96% inorganic material (hydroxyapatite) and 4% organic content and water.

What is the thickness of enamel over the cusps?

2.5mm thick over cusps/incisal edge.

What does enamel cover on a tooth?

Enamel covers the crown of the tooth.

What is one key property of enamel?

Enamel has high resistance to abrasion.

Does enamel possess the ability to repair itself?

Enamel cannot repair itself but has some capacity to remineralise.

What is prismless enamel?

A structureless layer of enamel near the cervical line that lacks visible enamel prisms, found in 70% of permanent teeth.

What are enamel rods?

Basic structural units of enamel, consisting of hydroxyapatite crystallites packed into a keyhole-shaped rod.

What is the Amelo-dentinal Junction (ADJ)?

A wavy, scalloped boundary that aids in the retention of enamel on dentine.

What is the neonatal line in enamel?

A line that separates enamel formed before and after birth, indicative of changes in nutrition.

What are Hunter-Schreger bands?

Optical phenomena seen in reflected light, caused by the regular change in direction of enamel rods.

What are the characteristics of aging enamel?

Aging enamel becomes worn out, less permeable, discolored, with changes in the surface layer.

What are white spot lesions?

Enamel lesions at the gingival margin or fissure related to poor oral hygiene, which can progress to cavities.

What causes enamel hypoplasia?

A decrease in the amount of enamel matrix synthesized by ameloblasts.

What is Dental Fluorosis?

Mottled enamel caused by excess fluoride during enamel formation.

What are perikymata?

External manifestations of the incremental lines of Retzius, appearing as continuous transverse grooves.

What is the role of interrods in enamel?

Interrods surround the enamel rods and are made of organic material, providing structural integrity.

What is the significance of the striae of Retzius?

Stripes that illustrate the incremental pattern of enamel formation when viewed microscopically.

What does the term 'glarled enamel' refer to?

Bundles of enamel rods that intertwine irregularly, strengthening the enamel structure.

Define enamel hypomineralization.

A condition caused by insufficient mineral incorporation during enamel maturation.

Name one disturbance that can affect enamel formation.

Defects caused by febrile diseases can lead to enamel formation issues.

What condition is characterized by multiple hypoplastic defects in enamel?

A result of disturbances in tooth formation affecting the synthesis of enamel.