Teeth play such an important role in our everyday life. We talk, eat, and drink using them. But how well do you really know this strong and vital part of your body?
Let’s go back to the basics and explore the anatomy of your teeth.
To start, we need to understand the different types of teeth that we have. Most adults have 32 teeth (including wisdom teeth) that can be categorized into 4 different types.
- Incisors are commonly found at the very front of the mouth and help us cut up our food.
- Canines are the pointed teeth on the sides of the mouth. These sharp teeth help to grip and tear our food.
- Premolars are the transition teeth between canines and molars. They help us crush our food while we chew.
- Molars, which are at the back of the mouth, have multiple points that are great for chewing food.
Now that we understand the different types of teeth, let’s dive into the anatomy of each tooth, moving from the bottom to the top
The Root
To start, the root of the tooth begins in the gums and includes several parts. The root’s job is to hold the tooth in place. It makes up two-thirds of the tooth and includes the following parts.
- The root canal is a passageway in the root.
- The cementum is a hard, bone-like material that covers the root.
- The periodontal ligament includes bundles of connective tissue that is attached to the cementum. This ligament connects the teeth to the socket.
- The nerves help with control while chewing.
- Blood vessels supply nutrients to the ligaments.
- The jaw bone contains the tooth socket and holds the tooth in place.
The Neck
The neck connects the root and the visible tooth. There are three parts of the neck.
- The gums refer to the pink tissue that’s attached to the tooth. The gums protect our jaw bones and house our teeth.
- The pulp is made up of blood vessels and nerve tissues in the inside of the tooth.
- The pulp cavity, or pulp chamber, is the space where the pulp is held.
The Crown
The crown refers to the visible tooth.
- The anatomical crown is the part of the tooth that you can see.
- The enamel is the hard, outer shell of the tooth and protects the tooth from bacteria. Fun fact: Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body – even harder than our bones!
- The dentin is the tissue just below the enamel that protects the teeth from hot and cold temperatures.
And that’s all you need to know about the anatomy of your teeth! There is so much more to a tooth than what meets the visible eye, which is one of the many reasons why proper dental care is so important. Scheduling regular dental check-ups can ensure that every part of the tooth – even what you cannot see – is healthy. During our comprehensive exams, we will assess your smile and establish a custom plan for your dental health.
Give us a call at (407) 834-0330 or request an appointment online today!
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