Tooth Enamel and Dentin

Tooth enamel and dentin are the primary mineralized tissues of the human tooth, providing the structural integrity and protective barrier necessary for mastication and pulp vitality (StatPearls, 2023). Enamel is the highly mineralized, acellular outer layer composed of approximately 96% hydroxyapatite crystals, making it the hardest substance in the human body (StatPearls, 2023). Dentin is the underlying vital tissue characterized by a collagenous matrix and microscopic tubules that communicate with the dental pulp, facilitating sensory transduction (PubMed, 2021). These tissues are not traditional molecular targets like receptors or enzymes; rather, they serve as the substrate for physicochemical interventions aimed at preventing or treating dental caries and hypersensitivity (NIH, 2022). Therapeutic agents such as fluoride interact with the mineral phase to enhance acid resistance by forming fluorapatite, which has a lower solubility than hydroxyapatite (NIH, 2022). Other treatments, such as potassium salts or tubule-occluding agents, focus on the dentin to alleviate pain associated with fluid movement within the tubules (PubMed, 2021). Understanding the composition and structural dynamics of enamel and dentin is crucial for developing restorative materials and preventive therapies in oral health.

Other names

Dental enamelDentinSubstantia adamantinaSubstantia eburneaTooth mineralHydroxyapatite matrix

Remineralization of the hydroxyapatite matrix through ion exchange (e.g., fluoride replacing hydroxyl groups to form fluorapatite), occlusion of dentinal tubules to inhibit fluid movement and sensory nerve activation, and the provision of sacrificial mineral ions to buffer plaque acids (NIH, 2022; PubMed, 2021).