The Structure Of Teeth
Teeth are whitish structures which are small and calcified. They are not made of bone but instead of various tissues.
The four major tissues in the tooth are enamel, dentin, cementum and dental pulp.
Enamel
The outer visible part of the tooth is the enamel. It is the toughest part of the tooth and is mostly mineral. It is supported by the dentin below it. Approximately 96% of enamel is mineral (which is primarily hydroxyapatite). The color of enamel runs from light yellow to gray-white. Enamel is partially translucent, this means that the color of the dentin below also has an effect on the perceived color of the teeth. This is why any dental work which rejuvenates the material below can have a marked effect on the overall appearance of the teeth. As the enamel has such a high concentration of minerals that it tends to be very strong but brittle. Enamel also contains two classes of proteins called enamelins and amelogenins, these are thought to help enamel to grow by acting as a framework.
Dentin
This substance is produced by the odontoblasts of dental pulp. This material is porous, and has a yellow color and is made from 20% organic, 10% water and 70% inorganic. Due to it being much softer than enamel it will decay more quickly if a cavity occurs.
Pulp
Pulp is in the center of the tooth it is also call the nerve of the tooth. It contains blood vessels and nerves, and along the border between the pulp and the dentin are the odontoblasts which produce dentin. Other cell types in the pulp are T lymphocytes, macrophages, fibroblasts and preodontoblasts.
Cementum
This covers the root of the tooth and is the bottom most layer. It is mainly made up of hydroxyapatite, collagen and water. It is produce by cementoblasts in the root of the tooth. It is yellow in color and is softer than the above two layers. Its role is to help the periodontal ligaments attach to the tooth allowing better stability.
Structures surrounding the teeth:
Gums (Gingivae)
This is the soft tissue which is around the bone and teeth. It acts as a protective layer for the roots of the teeth and the bone and allows easy lubrication to assist in all the tasks that the mouth has to take part in. Healthy gums are an essential part of a good looking smile.
Bone
The Jawbone provides the support for the teeth via the root, each tooth is in a little socket.
Blood supply
This provides the teeth with vital nutrients to keep them healthy. Essential as otherwise the inside of the tooth will die and will take on a much darker hue
Nerves
The nerves provide an early warning system to problems which are occurring in the teeth, it is also why dentist visits are dreaded, when a root canal is done the nerves are taken out as the tooth is essentially hollowed out