Structural and Chemical Analysis of Crystal Enamel Nucleation

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to obtain structural and chemical information about nucleation and growth of dental enamel as a function of location in secretory mouse foetus enamel. Then enamel tissues were obtained from 19-days-mouse foetus. TEM images show that enamel crystallites had the well-documented thin ribbons, or needles. They were found in the outermost zone in the vicinity of ameloblasts. Chemical analysis by EDS showed that, besides the elements of hydroxyapatite, Na, Cl, Al and Mg are presents from the beginning of enamel mineralization. All of these elements will play an important role on the physics and chemical properties in mature enamel.