The teeth in your mouth are comprised of tiny components that make quite the fascinating structure. The anatomy of the tooth is actually rather simple because there are only a few number of parts that comprise the structure of the teeth. The first thing to understand is that there are three primary components that comprise a teeth’s structure. They are the crown, the neck, and the root.
The Crown
The exposed crown at the top of the tooth is made of enamel, which is primarily made of calcium phosphate, crystals,
The shape of the crown is what usually determines the function of the tooth. Case in point, front teeth are usually sharp and are shaped in the form of cutting. Molars, on the other hand, have flat surfaces for the sake of grinding.
The Neck
Just below the crown lies the neck of the tooth. The neck is the part of the tooth that lies right in between the root and the crown. This area is primarily surrounded by the gums and joins the top and bottom parts of the tooth.
The Root
The root is the part of the tooth that is fully embedded in bone. The root makes up approximately 2/3rds of the entire tooth and is primarily responsible for holding the tooth in place.
Other Structures
While the crown, neck, and root are the primary structures of the tooth that hold it together, there are other parts of the tooth that are important as well.
The gumline is where the tooth and the gums meet. If you neglect to have proper oral hygiene, plaque, bacteria, and tartar will build up at the gum line which can lead to undesirable complications in the form of gum disease and gingivitis.
The enamel, as previously mentioned, is embedded in the crown. It is the outermost layer of the tooth and is the most mineralized material in the body. Decay can damage the enamel if it is not cared for properly, thus compromising the health of the teeth.
Then, there is dentine, which is the layer of the tooth right beneath the enamel. If the decay is severe enough to get past the outer layer of enamel, it will attack the 2nd line of defense next, the dentine. This is where millions of tubes are leading to the dental pulp. This pulp is the soft tissue for all teeth and is where nerve tissue and blood vessels are.
As you can see, the anatomy of the tooth comprises structures working together to keep it in place. If you have further questions or concerns, you can make an appointment with North View Dental at their professional and comfortable office.
