Ii The enamel begins to corrode when the pH inside our mouth falls below 5.5 because the saliva present in the mouth is acidic. The crystallinity of enamel varies depending on its purity and the degree of incorporation of other elements. However, enamel is never a pure substance and always includes other inorganic or organic components during the development stage. The main component of interest is fluoride, which can be replaced by part of the hydroxyl ion to form fluorapatite.
This is of considerable interest in dentistry, since this change produces enamel that has a much greater resistance to acid dissolution. The incorporation of fluoride into the enamel will also provide a deposit of fluoride ions, which plays a role not only in resistance to dissolution but, more importantly, in remineralization. Where enamel is unique is that the percentage of the inorganic component that makes up the enamel is higher than that of any other fabric. During this period of maturation, enamel appears to be more susceptible to acid dissolution, demineralization and the development of carious caries.
The analysis of stable isotopes in bone collagen and tooth enamel or bone fatty acids (Colonese et al. However, it is believed that the carbonate component, being less stable than pure hydroxyapatite, may cause an alteration of enamel crystallinity and probably plays an important role in enamel maturation. Crystallinity is affected not only by the incorporation of other ions, but also in surface enamel and physicochemical ion exchanges. As mentioned above, enamel is deposited by ameloblasts through a process of secreting an enamel matrix, which is then calcified.
This effect was attributed to high levels of calcium and phosphate in milk (Jenkins and Ferguson, 196) or to the adsorption of casein on enamel surfaces (Weiss and Bibby, 196). Oral streptococci cause dental disease (tooth decay) by dissolving tooth enamel and exposing the underlying layers and pulp of the tooth. Even during the early demineralization process, this “surface zone” remains intact, probably through a process of continuous remineralization by inorganic ions released by the inner layers of the enamel as it dissolves. In addition to tooth decay, periodontal diseases, which affect the gums and the bone that supports the tooth, are also caused by microbes, especially oral streptococci.
The identification of apatite-binding motifs in amelogenin is critical to understanding the interactions between amelogenin and crystals and the interactions between amelogenin and proteinases during the biomineralization of tooth enamel. Enamel analysis shows that an average of 98% is composed of the inorganic component, mainly hydroxyapatite. As the enamel thickens due to the apposition on the outer ends of the prisms, the formation of new enamel extends laterally. Longitudinal section across the molar cusp, showing “buried increments” above the cusp and, on the right and left, striations that reach the surface of the lateral enamel.
