Blog Highlights:
- Our teeth have four dental tissues
- Three of these tissues are hard, while one is soft and non-calcified
- The enamel is not made of living cells, this is why it cannot heal on its own when damaged
- The dentin is covered by enamel; when the enamel is damaged, the dentin’s microscopic tubules get exposed
Our teeth are made up of four dental tissues, three of which are hard tissues, while the fourth tissue is non-calcified tissue. The enamel, cementum, and dentin are hard tissues. While the pulp on the other hand, located at the center of the tooth, is soft. It contains blood vessels and connective tissue.
What are the parts of a tooth?
The enamel – This is a hard, calcified tissue that covers the dentin within the crown of the tooth. It does not contain any living cells and thus, it cannot repair itself from damage, wear, or decay. Only with the help of a dentist can one be able to fix problems on the enamel.
The gums – This is the soft tissue that covers the roots of your teeth. This is also the tissue that covers teeth that have not yet erupted.
The anatomical crown – This is the outer portion or the visible portion of your teeth. It is covered by hard enamel.
The Neck – This is the point where the crown and root joins together.
The Periodontal Ligament – Made from collagenous connective tissue fibers, this system connects the root of a tooth into the corresponding socket.
The Cementum – This is the hard connective tissue that covers the tooth root. It allows the tooth to attach to the periodontal ligament.
The Jawbone – This is the area of the jaw that surrounds the roots of the teeth.
The Root Canal – This is the chamber within the root of a tooth that contains the pulp.
The Pulp Chamber – This is the space that occupies the pulp, or the soft tissue within the tooth that contains connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves.
The Dentin – This is the area below the enamel and cementum. It is where microscopic tubules or small hollow tubes can be found. The enamel serves as the protective covering of the dentin, if it is damaged, these tubules will be exposed. It will then allow cold, heat, and other triggers to stimulate the nerves within the pulp chamber. This is also known as teeth sensitivity.
