MOUTH & TEETH 

ANATOMY

While the mouth is a small part of our overall anatomy, it’s filled with many parts and
players, all of which work together to help you eat, drink, speak and have a radiant smile.
The key players are incisors, canines, premolars, molars, crowns, gum line, root, enamel,
dentin and pulp.
What Are the Different Types of Teeth?
Here’s a quick overview of the different types of teeth in an average mouth:
 Incisors – the sharp, chisel-shaped front teeth (four upper, four lower) used for
cutting food.
 Canines – sometimes called cuspids, these teeth are shaped like points (cusps) and
are used for tearing and grasping food.
 Premolars – these teeth have two pointed cusps on their biting surface and are
sometimes referred to as bicuspids. The premolars are for crushing and tearing food.
 Molars – used for grinding and chewing food, these teeth have several cusps on the
biting surface to help in this process.
TEETH STRUCTURE
Teeth appear to be white, hard substances primarily responsible for grinding up food. But
they're more complex than that. The American Dental Association offers a thorough
breakdown of what exactly comprises a tooth.
 Gums. Teeth are housed in gums. Gums also protect a tooth's roots and any teeth
that have yet to break through.
 Crown. This is the top, visible part of a tooth.
 Enamel. Enamel is the substance that covers and protects all teeth. Enamel is the
hardest substance in the human body. Since it doesn't regenerate, preventing tooth
decay is critical to keep the enamel intact.
 Pulp chamber. This is the space inside of a tooth that houses the blood vessels, nerves
and connective tissue.
 Root canal. The canal provides a passageway for the nerves and blood vessels.
 Root. The portion of the tooth that's found in the bone socket is the root.
 Neck. The neck is the area that connects the crown with the root.
 Cementum. A hard connective tissue that covers a tooth's root is called the
cementum.
 Dentin. This layer is located beneath the enamel and cementum. Microscopic tubules
that allow various food types access to nerves are enclosed here. When enamel is
worn away from a tooth, the dentin becomes vulnerable to sensitivity.
 Alveolar bone. The alveolar bone is the portion of the jaw that encompasses the roots
of the teeth.
 Periodontal ligament. A tooth's root is connected to its socket by these collagenous
connective tissue fibers.