Materials Engineering by Ameloblasts

Enamel is unique. It is the only epithelial-derived mineralized tissue in mammals and has a distinct micro- and nanostructure with nanofibrous apatite crystals as building blocks. It is synthesized by a highly specialized cell, the ameloblast, which secretes matrix proteins with little homology to a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Dental Research 2015-06, Vol.94 (6), p.759-767
Main Author: Habelitz, S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ameloblasts
Ameloblasts - metabolism
Ameloblasts - physiology
Amelogenesis - physiology
Amino acid sequence
Apatite
Apatites - pharmacology
Biomechanical Phenomena
Biting
Calcium phosphates
Calcium Phosphates - pharmacology
Crystallization
Crystals
Dental enamel
Dental Enamel - physiology
Dental Enamel - ultrastructure
Dental Enamel Proteins - pharmacology
Dental pulp
Dental restorative materials
Dentin
Dentistry
Enamel
Evolution
Fractures
Homology
Humans
Mechanical properties
Mineralization
Nanofibers - ultrastructure
Proteins
Reviews
Structural engineering
Teeth
Tooth Calcification - physiology
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Summary:Enamel is unique. It is the only epithelial-derived mineralized tissue in mammals and has a distinct micro- and nanostructure with nanofibrous apatite crystals as building blocks. It is synthesized by a highly specialized cell, the ameloblast, which secretes matrix proteins with little homology to any other known amino acid sequence, but which is composed of a primary structure that makes it competent to self-assemble and control apatite crystal growth at the nanometer scale. The end-product of ameloblast activity is a marvel of structural engineering: a material optimized to provide the tooth with maximum biting force, withstanding millions of cycles of loads without catastrophic failure, while also protecting the dental pulp from bacterial attack. This review attempts to bring into context the mechanical behavior of enamel with the developmental process of amelogenesis and structural development, since they are linked to tissue function, and the importance of controlling calcium phosphate mineralization at the nanometer scale. The origins of apatite nanofibers, the development of a stiffness gradient, and the biological processes responsible for the synthesis of a hard and fracture-resistant dental tissue are discussed with reference to the evolution of enamel from a fibrous composite to a complex, tough, and damage-tolerant coating on dentin.
ISSN:0022-0345
1544-0591
DOI:10.1177/0022034515577963