Does correlation exist between mineralization in collagen-rich hard tissues and that in enamel?
Quantitative electron microscopy has shown that strands of crystallites with a dotlike substructure are formed and arranged in relation to the collagen structure. Many such parallel-arranged crystallites unite rapidly to form ribbons or long platelets which penetrate the microfibrils, producing the positive biomechanical quality. We assume that, in enamel, strands of crystallites with dotlike substructure may also exist in the earliest stage. These substructures unite with neighboring ones to form larger entities. Several needlelike (or ribbonlike) crystallites will form large crystallites, healing most of the lattice defects.
D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000502:physiology; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D003094:Collagen / Q000502:physiology*; D003460:Crystallization; D003461:Crystallography; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000502:physiology*; D003804:Dentin / Q000502:physiology; D005612:Freeze Drying; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats; D013710:Tendons / Q000502:physiology; D014074:Tooth Calcification; D014422:Turkeys
D003094:Collagen