Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

The enamel organ is a crucial component in the development of a tooth. It originates from embryonic tissues and is responsible for shaping the crown of the tooth. This organ influences the development of the tooth's mesodermal parts and eventually forms the enamel cap. Enamel itself is the hardest tissue in the body, composed of apatite crystals, and covers the tooth's crown. It is not living and contains no nerves. Enamel's hardness and composition make it resistant to decay. Malformations like hypoplasia (insufficient enamel matrix) or hypocalcification (soft enamel) can occur during development.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
3 Britannica Sources
  1. enamel
  2. tooth germ
  3. enamel cell

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.