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Dental Anatomy
Dental Anatomy
In the mouth, our teeth are held in place by bone and soft tissues. The bone that holds the teeth in the jaw is referred to as the alveolar bone.
The soft tissue that covers the alveolar bone and surrounds the teeth is known as the gingiva, which is commonly referred to as the gums. Structures that lie below the gumline are located in the subgingival area.
In order to ensure the longevity of our teeth, proper maintenance of the bones and gums is essential.
Tooth Structures
The Teeth are a component of the oral cavity and perform the functions of tearing, cutting, and chewing food. Teeth are not made of bone, but of tissues varying in density and hardness. The structures of the tooth that you need to be familiar with are:
Crown
The visible part of the tooth.
Cervix
The neck of the tooth where the crown meets the root.
Root
The anchor of the tooth that extends into the jawbone and holds the tooth in place.
Apex
The tip of the root of the tooth. The nerves and blood supply enter and leave through the opening at the tip of the apex.
Four Primary Parts
In addition to tooth structure, each tooth also has four primary parts:
Enamel
The protective, outer surface of the crown of the tooth. Enamel is the hardest material in the body.
Dentin
Makes up the majority of the inner portion of the tooth. On x-rays, it appears darker than enamel.
Pulp
The area inside the tooth that holds the nerves and blood vessels which provide nutrients to the tooth. It is in the center of the tooth and is in both the crown and the root.
Cementum
Makes up the outer surface of the root of the tooth. It covers the dentin on the root portion of the tooth and helps to hold the tooth in place. Cementum is much softer than enamel.
Now, let's take a moment and watch a quick video about dental anatomy basics.
Click the play icon when ready.
Time for review!
Dental Anatomy Basics Quiz
Module 2
Module 2
Dental Terminology Basics
Module 3
Module 3
Tooth and Surface Identification
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