Enamel Formation

Enamel is formed by specialized epithelial cells called ameloblasts during tooth development. Just before a tooth erupts from the gums, the ameloblasts are disrupted, which leads to the loss of enamel’s ability to regenerate or repair itself. This means that when enamel is damaged by injury or decay, it cannot restore itself naturally. Furthermore, enamel is not fully mineralized at eruption, and to achieve complete mineralization, calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions are taken up from saliva, which adds a layer of 10 µm to 100 µm of enamel over time.⁷ This mineralization process is crucial for strengthening the enamel and increasing its resistance to acid dissolution.