Teeth are hard, calcified structures found in the mouth, primarily used for biting, tearing, and chewing food.
Human teeth can be categorized into four main types, each serving a specific function:
Types of Teeth
1. Incisors:
Location: Front of the mouth, four in the upper jaw and four in the lower jaw.
Function: Flat and chisel-shaped, designed for biting and cutting food into smaller pieces.
2. Canines:
Location: Next to the incisors, two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw.
Function: Sharp and pointed, used for tearing and grasping food.
3. Premolars:
Location: Next to the canines, four in each jaw.
Function: Have a flat surface with two cusps, suitable for crushing and grinding food.
4. Molars:
Location: At the back of the mouth, six in each jaw including the "wisdom teeth."
Function: Large and flat with a larger surface area for grinding and breaking down food into smaller particles.
Structure of a Tooth
Each tooth consists of several parts:
1. Crown:
The visible part of the tooth above the gum line.
Covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body, protecting the tooth from wear and decay.
2. Root:
The part of the tooth embedded in the jawbone and is not visible.
Anchors the tooth to the bone, providing stability and support.
3. Enamel:
The outermost layer of the tooth and is composed of a highly mineralized substance, primarily hydroxyapatite.
Protects the tooth from wear, decay, and sensitivity to temperature and pressure.
4. Dentin:
A calcified tissue that makes up the majority of the tooth structure beneath the enamel.
Slightly softer than enamel but still provides strength and support to the tooth.
5. Pulp:
The pulp is the soft, innermost part of the tooth, containing blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.
It provides nutrients to the tooth and responds to sensory stimuli such as temperature and pressure.
6. Cementum:
A bone-like substance that covers the root of the tooth.
Anchors the tooth to the surrounding periodontal ligament and helps hold the tooth in place within the jawbone.