Let’s take a dive into the anatomy of a tooth!
- Crown – This is the top of the tooth that is visible in the mouth, above the gum.
- Root/s – Are located below the gum and is what holds the tooth in the jawbone. The number of roots on a tooth depend on which tooth it is. Incisors and canines only have one root, premolars have one or two, and molars generally have two to four, but on the odd occasion, there may be more!
To get a better understanding of which teeth are which, head over to one of our previous blog posts that breaks down the different types of teeth – www.singletonhappytooth.com.au/understanding-the-different-types-of-human-teeth/
- Enamel – The white, hard outer layer of the crown. Its purpose is to protect the teeth.
- Dentine – Is the layer directly below the enamel. It is made up of tiny tubes with nerve fibres that can cause sensitivity or pain if exposed.
- Pulp – The soft tissue in the centre of the tooth, beneath the dentine, which contains nerves and blood vessels. These connect to the blood and nerve supply in the surrounding jaw bone.
- Periodontal Ligament – Are the soft tissue fibres surrounding the root that connects to the jawbone.
- Cementum – Similar to enamel, this is the hard outer layer to protect the root/s, but it is a hard tissue, therefore, not as strong as enamel.
