Calcified Tissue International has published a special issue dedicated entirely to the dental enamel, one of the most remarkable and challenging tissues in the human body. 

The special issue, titled "Enamel," stems from the 11th International Enamel Symposium (Enamel 11), held from October 13 to 17, 2025 near Paris, France, where approximately 140 researchers from around the world gathered to discuss the latest developments in enamel research. The issue highlights key findings from the conference and includes an insightful editorial along with 25 outstanding contributions from researchers across eight countries.

Enamel is unique among mineralized tissues. It is formed only once during life, contains no living cells after tooth eruption, and cannot regenerate naturally when damaged. As the hardest structure in the body, enamel plays essential roles in oral health, nutrition, function, appearance, and quality of life. 

"Enamel is both biologically fascinating and clinically important," the guest editors note. "Because enamel cannot repair itself, advances in understanding its formation, pathology, and preservation have direct implications for billions of people worldwide."

The special issue explores seven major themes shaping contemporary enamel research:

• Fundamental knowledge on enamel structure and mineralization
• Advances in the biology of amelogenesis
• Enamel matrix proteins
• Enamel evolution and development
• Environmental factors disrupting enamel
• Hereditary enamel pathologies
• Innovative tools, treatments, and techniques 

Collectively, the articles reflect the growing international momentum behind enamel science. They provide new insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern enamel formation, the genetic causes of enamel defects, and the environmental stressors that can alter enamel development. The issue also highlights emerging technologies aimed at preventing enamel demineralization, improving diagnosis, and advancing strategies for enamel repair and regeneration.

The editors emphasize that the current collection not only captures the state of current science but also identifies key priorities for future research.

Professor René Rizzoli, Editor-in-Chief of Calcified Tissue International stated: 

“The issue marks a milestone for the enamel research community as the first Enamel Symposium to be formally associated with Calcified Tissue International. I would like to thank the editors of the issue Sylvie Babajko, Catherine Chaussain, Stefan Habelitz and Rodrigo S. Lacruz, as well as the authors, reviewers, and conference participants whose contributions made the special issue possible and whose work continues to advance understanding of dental enamel — one of nature's most extraordinary biomineralized tissues.”

Featured articles in the Special Issue

The Calcified Tissue International Special Issue "Enamel" contains an editorial, as well as 25 peer-reviewed articles originating from presentations and discussions at the 11th International Enamel Symposium. Together, these papers, all published in 2026, provide a comprehensive overview of current research into enamel development, mineralization, pathology, environmental influences, and emerging therapeutic approaches:

• Babajko, S., et al. Editorial “Enamel” Issue.  
• Bomfim et al. Mechanosensitive Piezo1 channels in enamel cells.
• Dupont et al. Mathematical modeling of calcium dynamics in ameloblasts.
• Duverger et al. Impaired remodeling of tight junctions associated with loss of enamel rod decussation in Tgfbr2G357W/+ mice.
• Kádár et al. Functional model for amelogenesis: polarization and pH sensitivity of calcium uptake in ameloblast-derived HAT-7 cells.
• Campbell et al. Spatial Regulation of Preameloblast Development in Response to Distal Mouse Incisor Injury. (In press)
• de Sousa et al. Serine-16 phosphorylation, C-terminal truncation, and ion-specific interactions coordinate amelogenin nanoribbon formation.
• Vasquez et al. Amelogenin phosphorylation affects key regulatory genes in the enamel organ.
• Boyde et al. Enamel tubules and spindles: enter and exit the amelocyte.
• Ngu et al. The role of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in enamel formation.
• Hu et al. mODAPH (p.Arg77*) Phenotype and Onset of Ameloblast Pathology During Postsecretory Transition Demonstrated by FIB-SEM Analyses of OdaphC41*/C41* Mice. (In press)
• Tostes-Figueiredo et al. Effects of fluoride and lead on enamel composition during the maturation stage of amelogenesis in rat mandibular third molars.
• de Lima Gonçalves et al. Impact of secondhand smoke on the biomineralization of dental enamel in rats.
• Li et al. Early life microplastic exposure impairs mouse incisor enamel formation.
• Porto et al. Morphological, histochemical, and proteomic analysis of the effects of fluoride and amoxicillin, with calcium and vitamin D supplementation, on dental enamel formation.
• Mazur et al. Diagnostic indices for epidemiological assessment of molar incisor hypomineralization: a systematic review.
• Liu et al. ACP4 variants in hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta.
• Resende et al. Pre-eruptive coronal resorptions as a clinical feature of FAM83H-related amelogenesis imperfecta: Insights from two Brazilian families.
• Duong et al. WDR72 regulates microtubule-associated vesicular miRNA export in ameloblasts during enamel maturation.
• Nedjar et al. Ano1 antisense therapy improves enamel properties in molars but not amelogenesis in a murine model of cystic fibrosis.
• Boyde et al. Enamel and bleaching or breaching: Vickers hardness and backscattered electron imaging.
• Murat et al. Tetracycline enables visualization of remineralization induced by agents penetrating dental enamel.
• AlQhtani et al. Effects of Collagen Cross-Linking Agents on Dentin-Composite Interface Strength and Morphology.
• Qamar et al. Effect of Poly-γ-glutamic Acid on Kinetics of Enamel Demineralization in vitro at pH 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0.
• Babajko et al. Water fluoridation risks or benefits: Summary of the symposium presented during the Enamel 11 meeting held in Paris, France. 

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About Calcified Tissue International & Musculoskeletal Research
Calcified Tissue International & Musculoskeletal Research is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes original preclinical, translational and clinical research, and reviews concerning the structure and function of bone, and other musculoskeletal tissues in living organisms, as well as clinical studies of musculoskeletal disease. It includes studies of cell biology, molecular biology, intracellular signalling, and physiology, as well as research into the hormones, cytokines, and other mediators that influence the musculoskeletal system. The journal also publishes clinical studies of relevance to bone disease, mineral metabolism, muscle function, and musculoskeletal interactions. https://www.springer.com/journal/223
Editor-in-Chief: René Rizzoli; Associate Editor: Roland Chapurlat
Musculoskeletal Research Section Editor: Roger A. Fielding

About IOF
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the world’s largest nongovernmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Its members — including committees of leading scientific researchers and 349 patient, medical, and research organizations across 152 countries — work together to make fracture prevention and healthy mobility a global healthcare priority.
www.osteoporosis.foundation   @iofbonehealth