Tooth, Ameloblast - Atrophy

Ameloblasts (Figure 1 and Figure 3, arrows) are the cells responsible for enamel production. Focal atrophy of ameloblasts can lead to enamel hypoplasia, which is difficult to assess because enamel decalcification removes the enamel in tissue sections. The loss of enamel may impart a characteristic brownish discoloration on gross examination in affected teeth. Ameloblast atrophy (Figure 2 and Figure 4, arrows) can be caused by chemical exposure, most notably fluoride toxicity. Odontoblasts can also be affected, but ameloblasts appear to be more sensitive. Atrophy is characterized by shortening of individual ameloblasts (Figure 4, arrow) due to decreased amounts of cytoplasm and smaller nuclei. Atrophy can lead to squamous metaplasia of ameloblasts, characterized by loss of the columnar layer of ameloblasts with replacement by squamous epithelium (see Tooth - Ameloblast - Metaplasia, Squamous ).