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April 22, 2018The structure of a tooth
The structure of a tooth
Each tooth has two main parts.
One is the crown, located on the surface of the gum, visible inside the mouth. The other part is the root, located inside the bone. Periodontal ligaments support the root inside the bone, like a hammock. Depending on the type and position of the tooth inside the mouth cavity, one tooth may have between one and three roots.
Each tooth has an interior cavity where the pulp (nerve) is located. Blood vessels and nerves in this cavity are connected to the blood vessels and nerves in the maxillary bone, through an orifice at the top of the tooth.
Most of the tooth consists of a yellow, softer tissue, the dentin. The exterior surfaces of the crown are covered by a white, extremely hard tissue, the enamel, which is the most resistant material in the body. Root surfaces are covered in a thin layer of another solid material, called cementum. The cementum fastens the fibers of the periodontal ligament at one end, which are fastened to the bone on the other side.
The gum forms a protective layer around the teeth, preventing the mouth bacteria from reaching the depth of the bone.