Getting down to the basics of teeth
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Getting down to the basics of teeth
To understand how tooth resorption affects the tooth, it is helpful to know about the anatomy of a tooth.
The top part of the tooth that we can see above the gum line is known as the crown.
The roots of the tooth are below the gum line, descending into the jaw.
Each tooth may have from one to three roots.
The crown’s white outermost layer is made of enamel, a hard material made mostly of calcium phosphate.
Under the enamel is a tough layer of dentin, a mineralised tissue made of living cells that surrounds the pulp and forms much of the tooth’s crown and root.
The pulp is also made of living tissue, but is softer. It forms the inner structure of the tooth and contains blood vessels and nerves.
A layer of connective tissue known as cementum covers the tooth’s roots, providing a hold for the periodontal ligaments that hold the tooth tightly anchored to the jaw.
