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Tooth enamel

Also known as: Dental enamel, Enamel

Tooth enamel (lat. enamelum) is the external protective coating of the tooth crown. It is the hardest and most mineralized tissue in the human body, consisting of 96–97% inorganic substances, primarily hydroxyapatite crystals.

Etiology and Pathophysiology

The structural unit of enamel is the enamel prism, which provides its exceptional hardness. As enamel lacks living cells, blood vessels, and nerves, it does not possess the ability for biological regeneration. The state of the enamel critically depends on the acid-alkaline balance of saliva: when the pH falls below the critical mark of 5.5, the process of crystal dissolution begins.

Clinical significance

Enamel serves as the first barrier against infection. Its damage opens the way for bacteria to the less protected dentin. Since enamel lacks nerve endings, the initial stages of its destruction occur painlessly, making regular examinations necessary for the early diagnosis of caries.

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