Page 20 - Amazing Smiles

CHAPTER TWO figure 8

A tooth is a lot more than a number,
location or a name; it is a living entity within the
jawbone. It has very specific macro and micro
anatomy. The anatomy of a tooth is very com-
plex, which is the reason why dentists spend a
minimum of four to five years studying dentistry
before they have the opportunity to create smiles
for patients. For the sake of simplicity, here is a
very brief explanation of tooth anatomy. (figure 8)

The part of the tooth that can be seen in the
mouth is called the crown. The part that cannot
be seen, under the crown and in the jaw bone, is
the root. The crown of a tooth consists of a hard
outer shell, called the enamel. This is a crystallized
structure giving a tooth its hardness, characteristic
look and color. Under the enamel is a softer hard
layer called the dentin. The color of the dentin
may also influence the color of the overlying
enamel covering. Within the dentin lies a space
occupied by arteries, veins and nerve tissue called
the dental pulp, commonly referred to as the
nerve. This nerve extends all the way to the bot-
tom of the root of the tooth. When the pulp is
compromised by infection, decay or mechanical
exposure, it needs to be cleaned out and replaced
with a rubber-like inert filling material called a root
canal filling. Each tooth is attached to the
surrounding bone by a soft tissue called the
periodontal ligament. Covering the bone and
surrounding the base of each tooth is a soft pink
tissue called the gingiva (commonly known as the
gums).

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