Tooth enamel

Tooth enamel
Labeled molar
Details
Identifiers
Latinenamelum
MeSHD003743
TA98A05.1.03.056
TA2938
FMA55629
Anatomical terminology
Parts of a tooth, including the enamel (cross section).

Tooth enamel is one of the four major tissues that make up the tooth in humans and many animals, including some species of fish. It makes up the normally visible part of the tooth, covering the crown. The other major tissues are dentin, cementum, and dental pulp. It is a very hard, white to off-white, highly mineralised substance that acts as a barrier to protect the tooth but can become susceptible to degradation, especially by acids from food and drink. In rare circumstances enamel fails to form, leaving the underlying dentin exposed on the surface.[1]

  1. ^ "Severe Plane-Form Enamel Hypoplasia in a Dentition from Roman Britain". ResearchGate. Retrieved 9 January 2019.