Calcification of enamel begins with a cell called ameloblast. This cell differentiated from enamel epithelium.

This enamel epithelium came from the inner aspect of the enamel organ of a tooth bud. Onced differentiated into ameloblast, it waits for a signal. The signal is, when the odontoblast secretes and make dentine, then the ameloblast secretes and make enamel. Therefore, dentine is formed first before enamel. It kinda make sense, as enamel is the furthest away from live tissue the pulp. Ameloblast secretes amelogenins and enamelins, which make up the enamel matrix protein. This matrix protein is the ideal substrate (or environment) for the precipitation of Calcium ions and Phosphate ions. When Calcium and Phosphate ions precipitate, they form the carbonated hydroxyapatite. The calcium and phosphate ions are ingredients for enamel calcification found in the local environment. The precipitate forms a hydroxyapatite crystal. A crystal consist of prisms (rods) and the interrod space. Each enamel rod is made of incremental deposition of enamel matrix.. These thin striation lines represent one day of enamel matrix deposition. The Striae of Retzius is a larger striation that forms as a result of a 7-10 day enamel deposition rhythm. The amelogenins and enamelins incorporates within the hydroxyapatite crystals. The enamelin forms the boundary layer between the rods (inter-rod space). Hence, the eventual decrease in organic enamel substance to 2% by weight. The Striae of Retzius extends to the enamel surfaces. It produces an uneven, bumpy enamel surface at the microscopic level. The depression or grooves are called perikymata. It is obvious in a freshy emerged tooth, but wears away eventually. It may still be possible to microscopically detect perikymata on the enamel surfaces cervical of a tooth. Enamel rod tend to fracture along their grain (orientation). The rods then to be parallel to each other, but at the cusp tip, enamel rods then to be more irregular and seem to twist around themselves. This is referred to as Gnarled Enamel. Gnarled enamel are thought to give extra strength to enamel. This is especially needed for functional cusp tips. It is less likely that enamel would fracture at the cusp tips due to their gnarled enamel. Also, I find that, when using a 1mm round depth cutting bur, it is harder to perforate the enamel at the cusp tip than at the pit and fissure system. These are the clinical significance of gnarled enamel. Post eruption mineralisation Enamel is quite highly mineralized before the tooth erupts, but further calcium and phosphate deposition in crystal defects continues following eruption because saliva is supersatured with these ions. The percentage by volume of mature enamel is approximately 85% inorganic. 12% water and the remaining 3% protein and lipid. Tooth mineral is highly subtitued with various ions including sodium, zinc, strontium, and carbonate which make it reactive more than hydroxyapetite. The apatite crystals of enamel particulary those at and near the surface, are in dynamic equilibrium with the adjacent aqueous phase of saliva or dental plaque. Overtime carbonate is

progressively replaced with phosphate and fluoride replaces some hydroxyl groups, depending on local fluoride concentration at the tooth surface. In time the enamel surface becomes very well minerealised if the ph of its local environment is neutral or alkaline Continuing change in enamel Almost of the enamel matrix protein dissapers as enamel forms. Enamel contains no cells, yet it is far from an inert tissue. Ionic exchange of calcium, phosphate and fluoride both in and out of enamel occurs continually,depending on local concentrations and pH. This is of central importance to many aspects Thickness of enamel an the effect on Colour The thickness of enamel varies in different parts of the crown, being thickest at the cusps and incisal edges and thinniest in the cervical region. The natural clor of enamel is translucent white or whitest-blue. This color shows in the incisal region of teeth and the cusp tips where there is no underlying dentine. As the enamel becomes thinnier the color of the dentine shows through and the enamel appears to be darker. The degree of mineralization also influence it appearance. Hypo minerelised areas appear more opaque than normally well minerealised region.