Summary
This PRISMA-ScR-compliant scoping review synthesises current knowledge on the biology and molecular mechanisms of human enamel formation (amelogenesis), drawing on 92 publications identified from Embase and Medline. The review covers ameloblast lifecycle, enamel matrix protein secretion (amelogenin, ameloblastin, enamelin), proteolytic processing by MMP20 and KLK4, hydroxyapatite crystal growth, and ion transport in rod and interrod structures. It discusses developmental defects (fluorosis, hypomineralisation, amelogenesis imperfecta) and emerging biomimetic remineralisation approaches including nano-hydroxyapatite and CPP-ACP. This source has no heavy-metal contamination data. It was deposited in the HMI-FILL-0055 toothpaste batch but does not contribute to the metals evidence base for the toothpaste wiki page. Its main relevance to the HMI wiki is as background biology for understanding why fluoride and hydroxyapatite-based toothpaste formulations are designed to interact with the enamel mineral.
Evidence Fitness
Context only. No heavy-metal concentration data are reported or reviewed. This source does not contribute to any metals evidence table in the wiki.
Methods (brief)
Scoping review using PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Systematic search in Embase and Medline via Dialogue Proquest (February 2025). Exclusion criteria targeted studies primarily addressing enamel defects (fluorosis, hypomineralisation, caries, dysplasia) rather than the biology of normal enamel formation. 189 records screened after deduplication from 6796 initial hits; 92 publications included after full-text review. No bias assessments or pooled quantitative synthesis performed; thematic narrative synthesis only.
Implications
- Certification: No contribution to metals occurrence data or threshold work.
- Courses: Useful background biology reference for understanding why hydroxyapatite and fluoride are incorporated into toothpaste formulations (biomineralisation context), but does not carry metals data.
- App: Not applicable.
Related evidence
None — this source does not carry metals contamination data applicable to any wiki metals or ingredient page.
Update history
No substantive edit history is available in this build. The full commit record is available in git.