Enamel is the Hardest Biomaterial Known

Engel, Jürgen

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-47711-4_5

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The mammalian tooth is a rugged structure capable of withstanding extreme forces (Jansen van Vuuren et al 2020) generated during mastication (Shimada et al 2012). Its specialized anatomy includes an outer layer of enamel, the hardest known biomaterial (Engel 2017), in keeping with a need to preserve its functional integrity. Here we demonstrate that teeth are richly innervated by a mix of specialized nociceptors and neurons that may have a more discriminative role.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcriptomic Classification of Neurons Innervating Teeth

2020

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Toothache is a common painful consequence of damage to the teeth, particularly when coupled to infection. Clinical restoration of tooth integrity, sometimes involving physical and chemical sterilization of the tooth with nerve fiber ablation (i.e., endodontic therapy), generally alleviates pain and allows long-lasting dental function. These observations raise questions regarding the biological role of tooth-innervating fibers. Here, we determined the transcriptomic diversity of the sensory neurons that can be retrogradely labeled from mouse molar teeth. Our results demonstrate that individual molars are each targeted by a dedicated population of about 50 specialized trigeminal neurons. Transcriptomic profiling identifies the majority of these as expressing markers of fast-conducting neurons, with about two-thirds containing nociceptive markers. Our data provide a new view of dental innervation, extending previous reports that used candidate gene approaches. Importantly, almost all retrogradely labeled neurons, including nociceptors, express the recently characterized mechanosensor Piezo2, an ion channel that endows cells with sensitivity to gentle touch. Intriguingly, about a quarter of the labeled neurons do not appear to be nociceptors, perhaps insinuating a role for them in discriminative touch. We hypothesize that dental neurons are capable of providing mechanosensitive information to drive rapid behavioral responses and protect teeth from damage. Damage to the teeth and exposure of the large population of molar nociceptors may trigger prolonged or abnormal activation driving toothache. Future studies examining the responses of these transcriptomically defined classes of neurons will help define their significance in oral sensation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcriptomic Classification of Neurons Innervating Teeth

2020

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“…Dental enamel constitutes the outer layer of the crown of teeth and is the most highly mineralized and durable material in the human body, which provides the inner layer of teeth protection from external mechanical wearing, chemical etching, and the temperature stimulus [1]. The anisotropic nanostructure of enamel determined by the secretory process of ameloblasts the so-called Tomes’ process—is the key to the hardness of teeth [2]. During the Tomes’ process, a group of ameloblasts secrete hydroxyapatite crystals, which grow with a nearly parallel crystalline orientation and are cemented into a bundle to enhance the strength and bendability [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical Polarimetric Detection for Dental Hard Tissue Diseases Characterization

Hsiao

Lee

Sun

2019

Sensors

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Dental enamel constitutes the outer layer of a crown of teeth and grows nearly parallel. This unique nanostructure makes enamel possess birefringence properties. Currently, there is still no appropriate clinical solution to examine dental hard tissue diseases. Therefore, we developed an optical polarization imaging system for diagnosing dental calculus, caries, and cracked tooth syndrome. By obtaining Stokes signals reflected from samples, Mueller images were constructed and analyzed using Lu-Chipman decomposition. The results showed that diattenuation and linear retardance images can distinguish abnormal tissues. Our result also aligns with previous studies assessed by other methods. Polarimetric imaging is promising for real-time diagnosing.

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