Structure of a Tooth. 6/06/2014

Today I was learning about Structure of a Tooth.

Enamel: The hard outer layer of the crown. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body.

Dentine: Not as hard as enamel, forms the bulk of the tooth and can be sensitive if the protection of the enamel is lost.

Pulp:Soft tissue containing the blood and nerve supply to the tooth. The pulp extends from the crown to the tip of the root.

Cementum: The layer of bone-like tissue covering the root. It is not as hard as enamel.

Structures around the tooth

Periodontal ligament:  Made up of thousands of fibres which fasten the cementum to the bony socket. These fibres anchor the tooth to the jaw bone and act as shock absorbers for the tooth which is subjected to heavy forces during chewing.

Gingivae (gums): Soft tissue that immediately surrounds the teeth and bone. It protects the bone and the roots of the teeth and provides an easily lubricated surface.

Bone: Provides a socket to surround and support the roots of the teeth.

Nerves and blood supply: Each tooth and periodontal ligament has a nerve supply and the teeth are sensitive to a wide variety of stimuli. The blood supply is necessary to maintain the vitality of the tooth.

Nerve / Pulp / Root Canal:

The nerve chamber and root canals house the pulp, or nerve tissues that keep a tooth alive. Teeth have blood flow to and from them and are living. Trauma or decay that has injured or infected the nerve of the tooth can cause the tooth to die. If these infections are not treated in a timely manner it could result in the loss of the tooth and spread of infection.

Crown:

The crown of a tooth is the portion that extends above the gum lines. The crown ends at the area where enamel tapers off, just along the edge of the margin of the gums. The chewing surface of the crowns in posterior teeth has deep grooves, pits and fissures to aid in chewing and grinding of food.

Neck: The narrowed part of a tooth between the crown and the root.