A tooth is basically made up of two parts: the crown and the root.
The crown is
what you see when you smile or open your mouth. It's the part that sits above
your gumline.
The root is below the gumline. It makes up
about 2/3rds of the tooth's total length.
Four different tissues make up each tooth. The enamel is the durable, white covering. Enamel
protects the tooth from the wear and tear of chewing.
Dental Fact: did you know that the enamel on your teeth is the hardest substance in your body?
Dentin supports the enamel on your teeth. It's a yellow bone-like material that's softer than enamel and carries some of the nerve fibres that tell you when something is going wrong inside your tooth.
The Pulp is the centre of the tooth. It's a soft tissue that contains blood and lymph vessels, and nerves. The pulp is how the tooth receives nourishment and transmits signals to your brain.
Cementum is what covers most of the root of the tooth. It helps to attach the tooth to the bones in your jaw. A cushioning layer called the Periodontal Ligament sits between the cementum and the jawbone. It helps to connect the two.
Timothy A. Smith, DDS
609-T East Main Street
Purcellville, VA 20132
609-T East Main Street
Purcellville, VA 20132
