Patterns of enamel maturation.

Investigations of the maturation pattern of rat incisor enamel by quantitative electron microscopy and electron-probe microanalysis indicate that mineralization of rat enamel can be regarded, as in humans, as a regular and progressive process pattern of enamel matrix formation. The species variations that have been proposed in the pattern of enamel mineralization can be related to differences in both the rate of formation of the enamel matrix and in the total thickness of the enamel produced. Neither the microradiographic appearance of developing enamel, nor the solubility and staining characteristics of the organic matrix accurately reflects the mineral concentration gradients established during the mineralization process as indicated from electron microprobe analysis.