Summary of Ways in Which Enamel and Bone Differ

Summary of Ways in Which Enamel and Bone Differ 

The structure of enamel and its mechanisms of formation differ from those of bone, dentin, and cementum in five important ways  

Mature enamel is more than 95% mineral (by weight), with only 1-2% matrix protein, and 3-4% water. In contrast, bone, dentin, and cementum are about 70% mineral, 20% collagen, and 10% water. Enamel is brittle compared with bone. 

Phosphorylation initiates crystallization like serine-phosphorylated collagen, but the mineralization alters enamel matrix structure (nanospheres formation and degradation), unlike the mineralization of collagen matrix. 

Enamel matrix is partially mineralized before its matrix is completed, whereas bone, dentin, and cementum secrete a preformed organic (osteoid) matrix to which calcium phosphate is added separately from matrix vesicles. 

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