Enamel matrix derivative proteins
Commander Ivan Roman, DC, USN and Captain John H. Mumford, DC, USN

Introduction
Enamel matrix derivative proteins (EMD) are secreted by the Hertwig’s epithelial root sheath (HERS) during tooth development and may be critical in the formation of cementum. These proteins share similar amino acid sequences between bovine, porcine and human species (2). Because of these inter-species similarities, EMD for dental use is sequestered from developing teeth of fetal pigs and is marketed by the Straumann Company as Emdogain gel. This gel is composed mainly of amelogenin, which makes up 90% of the enamel matrix derivative proteins and it is thought to be the key protein associated with cementogenesis during tooth formation. The remaining 10% of EMD is proline-rich non-amelogenins including among them: tuftelin, tuft protein, ameloblastin and amelin.