Measuring 3-6 μm in diameter in primates,[1] enamel prism are tightly packed hydroxyapatite crystals structures.
The hydroxyapatite crystals are hexagonal in shape, providing rigidity to the prism and strengthening the enamel.
On the other hand, the prism sheath has its crystals less tightly packed and has more space for organic components.
These prism structures can usually be visualised within ground sections and/or with the use of a scanning electron microscope on enamel that has been acid etched[3].
Such is the case in both permanent and primary dentitions; the enamel prisms following the path of the ameloblasts[5].
In permanent teeth, the enamel prisms near the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) tilt slightly more apically toward the root of the tooth[6].
For the most part, the enamel crystals are oriented parallel to the long axis of the prism[8].
Within ground sections of teeth, prisms appear to be twisted and interwoven around each other at the cusps.
Frontiers Media S.A. [4] Zafar, M. S., Amin, F., Fareed, M. A., Ghabbani, H., Riaz, S., Khurshid, Z., & Kumar, N. (2020).
Relationships between enamel prism decussation and organization of the ameloblast layer in rodent incisors.
Wolters kluwer india Pvt Ltd. [8] Beniash, E., Stifler, C. A., Sun, C.-Y., Jung, G. S., Qin, Z., Buehler, M. J., & Gilbert, P. U.
An efficient approach to the synthesis of a calcium phosphate bone-cement and its reinforcement by hydroxyapatite crystals of various particle morphologies.
https://doi.org/10.1177/10454411990100040101 [13] Beniash, E., Stifler, C. A., Sun, C.-Y., Jung, G. S., Qin, Z., Buehler, M. J., & Gilbert, P. U.