The Organic Elements of the Enamel

Abstract

The enamel lamellae have been studied grossly, in spreads, and in paraffin sections of carefully decalcified teeth from rats, monkeys, and man. In erupted teeth these and similar organic bands were frequently found in regions where the enamel had suffered from traumatic injury. By means of thin paraffin sections the lamellae were found to run between the enamel prisms corresponding to the region of the prism sheaths, that is, in areas of least resistance. The lamellae failed to follow the pattern of enamel formation. This fact and the absence of the lamellae in unerupted teeth contradict the belief that the lamellae are formative defects. It is suggested that the lamellae and other organic membranes which infiltrate and cover the prism surfaces exposed by traumatic injuries to the enamel may serve as a nucleus for a crude reparative mineralization of such defects.