Hydroxyapatite mineral of tooth enamel

Hydroxyapatite is the primary mineral component in tooth enamel, constituting about 95-98% of enamel by weight[1][4][6]. It is a crystalline form of calcium phosphate, organized into tightly packed rods or prisms that provide enamel with exceptional hardness and resilience, making it the hardest tissue in the human body[4][6][7]. Although hydroxyapatite is not a receptor, enzyme, transporter, or classical therapeutic target, its integrity is essential for tooth health. Enamel hydroxyapatite acts as a physical barrier protecting underlying dentin and pulp, enabling teeth to resist physical and chemical damage from chewing, biting, and exposure to acids[1][3][7]. Damage to hydroxyapatite manifests as enamel demineralization, the central feature of dental caries and other enamel defects[1][5]. While it is not targeted by drugs in the conventional sense, preventive interventions such as fluoride promote remineralization by encouraging the formation of more acid-resistant mineral variants (e.g., fluorapatite)[5]. Enamel hydroxyapatite contains trace elements like fluoride, strontium, magnesium, and zinc, which may influence tooth strength and resistance to decay[2]. The structure and composition of hydroxyapatite mineral in enamel are the focus of extensive research in dental materials science, but it is not considered a molecular target in pharmacology[5][1][4].

Other names

Hydroxyapatite (of enamel)biological hydroxyapatiteenamel hydroxyapatitedental hydroxyapatitetooth enamel mineral