Enamel

Question 1

What does cariogenic mean

Answer 1

Something that creates caries

Question 2

What are the functions/structure of enamel

Answer 2

-Hardest tissue in body​
-Resists abrasion​
-Brittle​
-Supported by dentine​
-Covers tooth crown​
-Varies in thickness​
-Translucent​
-Transparency increases with mineralisation​

Question 3

What is attrition

Answer 3

Attrition - the normal everyday wear of a tooth on incisal or occlusal surfaces
Erosion

Question 4

what is abrasion

Answer 4

the wear of a tooth over unusual activity, more pathological wear of tooth. Usually associated with grinding teeth

Question 5

Why must Enamel be supported

Answer 5

Never leave enamel unsupported as it will break much easier due to lack of dentine.

Question 6

Amelodentinal junction ADJ/EDJ

Answer 6

Junction where enamel and dentine meet

Question 7

Why does enamel have different thicknesses

Answer 7

-Surface enamel more mineralised and harder than deeper enamel​

-Hardness decreases from cusp tip/ incisal edge to cervical region​

-These properties have functional and clinical significance

Enamel on molars is thicker to withstand greater trauma due to chewing while incisors are primarily used for biting

Question 8

Make up of enamel

Answer 8

Hydroxyapatite (HA) ​
-95% weight (90% volume)​

Water ​
-4% weight (5-10% volume)​

Organic matrix ​
-1% weight; (1-2% volume)​
-Proteins: Amelogenins; enamelins, peptides, amino acids​
​

Question 9

What is erosion

Answer 9

The loss of tooth enamel caused by acid attack