SMPhU Nicolae Testemitanu

Department of Histology, Cytology and Embryology

Amelogenesis,
Structure of Enamelum,
Assistant professor
PhD:
Mazuru Vitalie

Amelogenesis
process of Enamel formation provided by Ameloblasts
During Amelogenesis ameloblasts become columnar, polarized,
secreting cell

at the moment of Eruption Ameloblasts cease their function,

decrease in volume and undergo gradually involution

Ameloblasts life cycle

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Morphogenetic
Differentiation
Secretory
Maturation
Protective

Morphogenetic
During this stage, the cells
assume columnar shape
Develops RER
GA
Mitochondria

Differentiation
Coincide with the moment
of the beginning of enamel
secretion.
Cells elongate (columnar)
Changes the polarity

Differentiation
RER and GA are above
the nucleus => secretory
AP and non-secretory BP.
Arangement of actin
filaments forms two
terminal bars basal and
apical.
Organizing of the
epithelium (desmosomes,
tight and gap junctions)

Secretory
Most of the enamel
formation period
RER, GA, Mtch
Above the apical terminal
bar appears one elongation
Tomes process

Secretory
Tomes process responsible
for prisms formation

Advanced secretory ameloblasts

Cells are highly polarized

Tomes process gives an

ruffled aspect to the enamel
surface

Maturation
Entire thickness of
Enamel has been
formed.
E is 30% mineralised
E crystals increase in
width and thickness
Water and proteins are
removed

Maturation
Tomes process is lost
Organelles reduced in number
Appear two types AB
Ruffle-ended (A)
Smooth-ended (B)
Alternates 6-7 times

Protective (Post-maturation) stage

Enamel maturation is complete
Cells become flattened
Secrete primary E cuticle a type of
basement membrane between apical
surface and Enamelum
Are formed many hemidesmosomes

Protective (Post-maturation) stage

Other layers of
enamel organ merge
Forming Reduced
Epithelium

Enamel formation
1. Organic matrix
formation
2. Mineralisation

Dissociation of BM TF
Mutual induction

Formation of enamel matrix

Enamel matrix produced in
RER
Enpacked in GA
Transported to the TP
Merocrine secretion

Sequential secretion (4/day)

Moving outward (4/day)

Appear incremental lines

Mineralisation
1.
2.

1.
2.
3.
4.

Two stages
Instant partial (30%)
Complete (4 s/stages)
Sources of Ca2+
Ca2+ from dentine
Ruffle-ended AB
Tuftelinum
AlcPh-ase of IntEE

Physical properties of the Enamel

- Covers the crown
- It is the thickest over the cusps
(1.3 - 2.5 mm thick), and the
thinnest at cervical margins
- Is the hardest biological tissue
- Has high abrasion resistance, but
low tensile strength
- Can undergo neither repair nor
replacement (final structure)
- Surface enamel is harder, denser
and less porous than subsurface
enamel
- The translucency of enamel
increases with age

Ground section of the tooth:

Organic components are lost, while
mineral components remain.

Demineralised section:
Organic components remain, while
calcified are lost.

Chemical properties
Non-organic SBST
96-98%
Calcium hydroxyapatite (88-90%)
Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 crystallites
Fluoride
Chloride
Sodium
Strontium
Aluminium
Magnesium

Water

Organic SBST
2-4%
Proteins:
Amelogenins
Enamelins (non-Amelogenins)
Carbohydrates
Lipids

Enamel prisms (rods)

Enamel prisms cut longitudinally and running towards the surface

of the enamel.
Oblique lines enamel stria

All 3 patterns are present in humans

Pattern I

Pattern III
the most common in humans

This pattern shows clearly head and tail regions. The

tail is placed between the heads of 2 neighbors prisms

 The prisms meet the enamel surface at different angles

depending on the shape of EDJ and the thickness of enamel.
Have sinusoidal arrangement
Are organized in groups of 10-13 layers of prisms, that follow
the same direction, are blocked above and below by another
group of prisms that are oriented in different direction.
These periodic changes in prisms direction give rise to a banding
pattern Hunter-Schreger bands.

-Size of the bands ~ 50m.

- are visible as different bands
of prisms that reflect the light
in different directions.

- the bands of prisms cut

longitudinally parazones
(pale)
- the bands of prisms cut
transversally diazones (dark)

The sinusoidal direction of the

enamel prisms in alternating
sheets results in alternately
reflecting bands on the cut
surface.

Hunter-Schreger bands

A. Diazone
B. Parazone

Hunter-Schreger bands

Hunter-Schreger bands
Gnarled enamelum

The outer 20-100m of enamel is prismless (aprismatic).

Incremental lines
Enamel is formed incrementally, periods of activity alternating
with periods of quiescence.
This results in structural appearances known as incremental lines.

Short period IL (cross-striation)

Long period IL (enamel striae)
Neonatal IL

Cross-striation
Are seen as lines transversing
the enamel prisms at right
angles to their long axes.

Enamel striae (Retzius lines)

Represent weekly enamel deposition

Neonatal line
Is the largest Retzius line
Specific only for deciduous teeth
Is formed at birth
Reflects the metabolic changes at
birth
The most less mineralised enamel

Surface enamel
Perikymata grooves
Perikymata ridges
Enamel caps
Enamel holes

On the lateral surface of

enamel, enamel striae
reaches the surface in a
series of fine grooves that
running circumpferentially
around the crown
perikymata grooves.
Between them P ridges

Enamel caps
Surface elevations 10-15 m across
Are thought to be enamel deposition on
top of non-mineralisable debris late in
development.

Enamel holes

Surface depressions that results

from loss of caps and underlying
material.

Enamel-Dentine Junction (EDJ)

A. Enamel tufts
B. Enamel spindles
C. Enamel lamellae

Enamel spindles
Narrow, elongated tubules that extend
up to 25 nm into the enamel.
Represent hypomineralised areas
Are thought to be:
Distal edges of OB processes
Dentine collagen fibers

Remnants of dead OB

Enamel tufts
Represent hypomineralised
enamel areas.

Have the same direction and

undulate the same like prisms.
Appears at 100m intervals
along the junctions.

Enamel lamellae
Hypomineralised enamel areas
that results from incomplete
maturation of groups of prisms.
Thereby, in these areas amount
of enamel proteins is much
higher. Are the most common
for the cervical area of the
tooth

Run through the entire

thickness of enamel.