Crystallite Diameters of Enamel near the Anatomical Surface

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Abstract
An investigation of the average crystallite diameters in human enamel has been carried out near the anatomical surface (≈2.5 μm) and far from the surface (≈ 150 μm). Mature human deciduous as well as unerupted human enamel was studied. The results show that in deciduous enamel the average crystallite diameter near the surface and subsurface are 88 and 46 nm, respectively. For mature human enamel the near-surface and far from the surface values were 59 and 38 nm, respectively. In non-erupted enamel, however, no significant differences between near-surface and subsurface enamel were measurable. Furthermore, the fluoride content has been measured at the various positions of interest. No correlation between fluoride content and crystallite diameter was found. The diameter differences measured may be due to the influence of the aggressive oral environment on the teeth surfaces after eruption. After eruption frequent de- and remineralization dissolves small crystallites and by reprecipitation and/or growth larger crystallites are formed near the surface.

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