The anatomy of a tooth
Our teeth are made up of different layers of tissue, each of which has an important role in protecting the teeth. These layers are the
pulpConnective tissue containing blood vessels and nerve tissue which occupies the pulp cavity of a tooth.,
dentin,
enamelHard calcified tissue covering dentin of the crown of tooth. and
cementumHard connective tissue covering the tooth root.. However, the tooth can be broken down into 3 sections:
- The crownSimple crown procedure utilizing a porcelain crown fused to non-precious metal and not involving complicated prep. – I.e. the surface of the tooth
- The neck – The neck is the middle of the tooth where the crown meets the rootThe anatomic portion of the tooth that is covered by cementum and is located in the alveolus (socket) where it is attached by the periodontal apparatus; radicular portion of tooth..
- The root – The root is the part of the tooth below the gumline containing all the soft tissues i.e. blood vessels and nerves.
These 3 sections can then be looked at by the material contained within that section:
- Enamel: The protective outer layer
The enamel is the visible layer of the tooth above the gumline. It’s a tough material, so much so that it’s the hardest substance in the human body! The enamel acts as a hard shield protecting the sensitive and soft layers beneath the surface.
Enamel is mostly made up of a mineral called hydroxyapatite, which is known for its physical strength. The enamel also contains small amounts of water and organic matter.
- Dentine: The layer beneath
Dentine is the second layer of a tooth, so to speak, it sits just below the enamel and protects the pulp of the tooth. Dentine is slightly softer than the enamel, but is still strong. The dentine is an additional protective layer, shielding and transmitting sensations to the pulp, such as pressure or temperature.
Like enamel, dentine is made of hydroxyapatite but has a lower mineral content and a higher volume of water and organic materials.
- Cementum: The anchor of the tooth
Like enamel, cementum is the hard protective tissue which protects the tooth below the gum line. Its function is to shield the nerves and soft tissues at the tooth's root. The cementum behaves like glue, using small fibres to connect the cementum to the jaw bone, keeping the tooth in its place.
- Pulp: The soft core of the tooth
Our teeth contain a tissue called the pulp. The pulp of our teeth is in the core of our tooth and is technically the softest tissue in the entire tooth. The pulp contains the blood vessels, tissues and nerves which all keep the tooth healthy and alive!
Are our teeth made from bones?
Our teeth are very different to our bones, in the way they function and in terms of what they are made from, the only similarities are their light white or yellow appearance and them belonging to the human body! The biggest differences between bone and teeth are:
- Teeth can't heal - Whilst a broken bone can repair itself, whereas a tooth can’t repair itself if it is broken.
- Bones are always changing – Our bones regenerate, change and grow throughout our lifetime thanks to bone marrow which creates new blood cells. Teeth, on the other hand, stay the same once they’ve grown in.
- Teeth are home to living and non-living tissues – The pulp is the only part of the tooth considered to be ‘living’ with blood and nutrients being supplied to it. Whereas our bones are live tissues.
Our teeth’s layers all have an important purpose and function, the enamel is the tough outer layer dentine provides structure and sensation, cementum holds the tooth in place and the pulp keeps it alive and healthy! Unlike bones, our teeth can’t heal themselves, making good oral care an essential part of keeping them healthy.