Tooth Enamel

Enamel is the outer layer of the exposed tooth. It is a hard thin translucent layer of calcified substance that envelops and protects the dentin (the main portion of the tooth structure) of the crown of the tooth.

It is the hardest and most highly mineralized substance of the body. The hardness of enamel is an important property as the main role of enamel is to protect the softer underlying dentin of the tooth. Enamel also serves as the surface for chewing grinding and crushing of food and this is another reason for its hardness.

The normal color of enamel varies from light yellow to grayish white. Since enamel is semitranslucent, the color of dentin and any restorative dental material underneath the enamel strongly affects the appearance of a tooth.