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Published on: March 29, 2018
X-ray study and microhardness data of some dental enamel species
1X-ray Division, Central Services Laboratory National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
Abstract:
X-ray analysis and microhardness of dental enamel of some human and animal species were investigated. Human enamel is composed mainly of hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite together with traces of delta calcium metaphosphate. Prominant apatite phases with a small amount of basic calcium carbonate are also present in the enamel of dog canine teeth. Calcite forms the main crystalline components of rat enamel with some hydroxyapatite. A relatively higher hardness value was detected for enamels of human incisors than for that of rats; the dog enamel was, however, apparently harder than that of the human variety. The hardness values generally decreased with increasing the applied load. The correlation between the phase analysis of the enamel materials and their microhardness values and the dependence of this property on the load applied are discussed.
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The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.

