The structure of a human tooth
Teeth are primarily made up of dentine (inside) and the particularly hard enamel (outside) (figures 1-2).
Enamel in particular is made up almost exclusively of hydroxyapatite, Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 (OH).
Enamel is comprised of needle-like hydroxyapatite crystallites that are bundled in parallel ordered prisms
This special microstructure makes enamel the hardest substance in the human body.
Dentine contains a larger protein content in addition to hydroxyapatite. Dentinal canaliculi (so-called tubules) can also be found in dentine. When dentine is exposed in the oral cavity, this can lead to pain-sensitive teeth.
In summary, it can be said that teeth are hierarchical biocomposites with special properties:
- Hardness
- Fracture strength
- Self-repair mechanism by means of remineralisation from saliva
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