Enamel is made up of what % of inorganic mineral crystals?

Study for the City and Guilds Dental Nursing Block 2 Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations, to prepare effectively. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Enamel is made up of what % of inorganic mineral crystals?

Explanation:
Enamel’s great hardness comes from how heavily mineralized it is. About 96% of enamel by weight consists of inorganic mineral crystals, mainly hydroxyapatite. The remaining portion is organic matrix proteins and a small amount of water. This extreme mineral content makes enamel extremely hard, but also relatively brittle since there’s little organic material to absorb shocks; it relies on the underlying dentin for resilience. The other percentages don’t fit enamel’s composition—70% is more like dentin’s mineral content, while 40% and 99% don’t reflect enamel’s typical balance of mineral and organic components.

Enamel’s great hardness comes from how heavily mineralized it is. About 96% of enamel by weight consists of inorganic mineral crystals, mainly hydroxyapatite. The remaining portion is organic matrix proteins and a small amount of water. This extreme mineral content makes enamel extremely hard, but also relatively brittle since there’s little organic material to absorb shocks; it relies on the underlying dentin for resilience. The other percentages don’t fit enamel’s composition—70% is more like dentin’s mineral content, while 40% and 99% don’t reflect enamel’s typical balance of mineral and organic components.

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