Evidence of Noncentrosymmetry of Human Tooth Hydroxyapatite Crystals.

Herein, we investigate human single hydroxyapatite crystals (enamel and dentine) by convergent-beam electron diffraction (CBED) and automated electron-diffraction tomography (ADT). The CBED pattern shows the absence of the mirror plane perpendicular to the c axis leading to the P63 space group instead of the P63/ m space group considered for larger-scale crystals, this is confirmed by ADT. This experimental evidence is of prime importance for understanding the morphogenesis and the architectural organization of calcified tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]