Amelogenesis

• Ameloblast- epithelial cells that produce and deposit enamel on the surface of a developing tooth
• Amelogenesis- the formation of enamel and begins when the crown is forming during the advanced bell stage of tooth development, after the first layer of dentin is formed
• Tome’s Process- projections and give the ameloblast a "picket-fence" appearance under a microscope.
• Enamel- The hardest calcified tissue in human body
• Enamel Rod- Basic unit of enamel
• HUNTER SCHREGER BANDS-

  alternating light and dark bands appear in the enamel
• ENAMEL TUFTS- hypomineralized ribbon-like structures that run longitudinally to the tooth axis and extend from

  the dentinoenamel junction
• STRIAE OF RETZIUS- incremental growth lines or bands seen in tooth enamel.
• GNARLED ENAMEL

  • a description of enamel seen in histologic sections of a tooth underneath a cusp
• PERIKYMATA- minute transverse ridges on the surface of the enamel of a tooth which correspond to the

  incremental lines of Retzius
• Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI)

  • is a congenital disorder that presents with a rare abnormal formation of the enamel or external layer of the crown of teeth, unrelated to any systemic or generalized conditions
• • Type 1 - HypoplasticEnamel of abnormal thickness due to malfunction in enamel matrix formation. Enamel is very thin but hard & translucent, and may have random pits & grooves
• Type 2 - Hypomaturation

  • Enamel has sound thickness, with a pitted appearance. It is less hard compared to normal enamel, and are prone to rapid wear.
• Type 3 - Hypocalcified

  • Enamel defect due to malfunction of enamel calcification, therefore enamel is of normal thickness but is extremely brittle, with an opaque/chalky presentation. Teeth are prone to staining and rapid wear, exposing dentine
• Type 4 - Hypomature hypoplastic - enamel with taurodontism

  Enamel has a variation in appearance, with mixed features from Type 1 and Type 2 AI. All Type

  4 Amelogeneis Imperfect has taurodontism in common.
• Dental fluorosis (also termed mottled enamel)

  • is an extremely common disorder, characterized by hypomineralization of tooth enamel caused by ingestion of excessive fluoride during enamel formation.
• Enamel pearl

  • is a condition of teeth where enamel is found in locations where enamel is not supposed to be, such as on a root surface
• Mulberry molars

  -are a dental condition usually associated with congenital syphilis, characterized by multiple rounded rudimentary enamel cusps on the permanent first molars
• Ameloblastoma - a rare, benign or cancerous tumor of odontogenic epithelium (ameloblasts, or outside portion, of

  the teeth during development) much more commonly appearing in the lower jaw than the upper jaw.