| enamel cap | The enamel covering the crown of a tooth. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| enamel cell | <cell biology> Columnar epithelial cells that secrete the enamel layer of teeth in mammals. Their apical surfaces are tapering Tomes processes) and are embedded within the enamel matrix. (18 Nov 1997) |
| enamel cleavage | The splitting of enamel in a plane parallel to the direction of the enamel rods. (05 Mar 2000) |
| enamel cleaver | An instrument with a heavy shank and a very short blade at about 90 |
| enamel cuticle | The primary enamel cuticle, consisting of two extremely thin layers (the inner one clear and structureless, the outer one cellular), covering the entire crown of newly erupted teeth and subsequently abraded by mastication; it is evident microscopically as an amorphous material between the attachment epithelium and the tooth. Synonym: cuticula dentis, adamantine membrane, dental cuticle, membrana adamantina, Nasmyth's cuticle, Nasmyth's membrane, skin of teeth. (05 Mar 2000) |
| enamel drop | A developmental anomaly in which there is a small nodule of enamel below the cementoenamel junction, usually at the bifurcation of molar teeth. Synonym: enamel drop, enamel nodule, enamel pearl. (05 Mar 2000) |
| enamel dysplasia | An autosomal dominant or x-linked disorder in which there is faulty development of the dental enamel owing to agenesis, hypoplasia, or hypocalcification of the enamel. It is marked by enamel that is very thin and friable and frequently stained in various shades of brown. (12 Dec 1998) |
| enamel epithelium | The several layers of the enamel organ remaining on the enamel surface after formation of enamel is completed. Synonym: reduced enamel epithelium. (05 Mar 2000) |
| enamel fibres | The calcified, microscopic rods radiating from the surface of the dentin, forming the substance of the enamel of a tooth. Synonym: enamel fibres, enamel prisms, enamel rods. (05 Mar 2000) |
| enamel fissure | A deep cleft between adjoining cusps affording retention to caries-producing agents. (05 Mar 2000) |
| enamel germ | The enamel organ of a developing tooth; one of a series of knoblike projections from the dental lamina, later becoming bell-shaped and receiving in its hollow the dental papilla. Reserve tooth germ, enamel organ and papilla of a permanent tooth. Tooth germ, the enamel organ and dentin papilla, constituting the developing tooth. Synonym: dental germ. Wheat germ, the embryo of wheat; contains thiamine, riboflavin, and other vitamins. (05 Mar 2000) |
| enamel hypocalcification | A defect of enamel maturation, exacerbated by local, systemic, or hereditary factors, and characterised by low mineral content. A variety of amelogenesis imperfecta. (05 Mar 2000) |
| enamel hypoplasia | A developmental disturbance of teeth characterised by deficient or defective enamel matrix formation; may be hereditary, as in amelogenesis imperfecta, or acquired, as encountered in dental fluorosis, local infection, childhood fevers, and congenital syphilis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| enamel lamella | An organic defect in enamel; a thin, leaflike structure that extends from the enamel surface toward the dentinoenamel junction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| enamel layer | The internal layer of the enamel organ. Synonym: enamel layer. (05 Mar 2000) |