Human amelogenesis: high resolution electron microscopy of nanometer-sized particles.
Growth of inorganic crystals of enamel is described as a two-stage process with growth of ribbon-like crystals in length and width, followed by their development in thickness. In early stages of crystal growth during human amelogenesis nanometer-sized particles with a mean diameter of 1.1 nm were described between ribbon-like crystals. These small particles had a crystalline structure but their lattice parameters did not seem to be directly related to those of calcium phosphates. The nanometer-sized particles appear to correspond to initial stages of apatite crystal growth. Their localization close to ribbon-like crystals and their progressive increase in size and number may indicate that they represent a precursor phase for these crystals. Nucleation areas at both extremities, of elongated ribbon-like crystals could be involved in the two-directional growth of ribbons and/or in nanometer-sized particle nucleation.
Centre de Recherches Odontologiques, INSERM, Strasbourg, France.
F J
FJ
Cuisinier
P
P
Steuer
B
B
Senger
J C
JC
Voegel
R M
RM
Frank
D000566:Amelogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D003460:Crystallization; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D017886:Durapatite; D005333:Fetus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D006882:Hydroxyapatites / Q000378:metabolism; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010316:Particle Size
D006882:Hydroxyapatites; D017886:Durapatite