Dental anatomy is a field of anatomy dedicated to the study of human tooth structures.

Tooth
development is the complex process by which teeth form from embryonic cells, grow, and
erupt into the mouth. The teeth are a group of hard organs found in the oral cavity. We use
teeth to masticate (or chew) food into tiny pieces. They also provide shape to the mouth and
face and are important components in producing speech. A tooth can be divided into two main
parts: the crown and root. Found above the gum line, the crown is the enlarged region of the
tooth involved in chewing. Like an actual crown, the crown of a tooth has many ridges on its
top surface to aid in the chewing of food. Below the gum line is the region of the tooth called
the root, which anchors the tooth into a bony socket known as an alveolus. Roots are tapered
structures resembling the roots of plants, and each tooth may have between one to three roots.
The exterior surface of the root is covered in a bone-like mixture of calcium and collagen
fibers known as cementum. Cementum provides grip for the periodontal ligaments that anchor
the root to the surrounding alveolus. Each tooth is an organ consisting of three layers: the
pulp, dentin, and enamel.
The pulp of the tooth is a vascular region of soft connective tissues in the middle of the
tooth. Tiny blood vessels and nerve fibers enter the pulp through small holes inthe tip of the
roots to support the hard outer structures. Stem cells known as odontoblasts form the dentin of
the tooth at the edge of the pulp. Surrounding the pulp is the dentin, a tough, mineralized layer
of tissue. Dentin is much harder than the pulp due to the presence of collagen fibers and
hydroxylapatite, a calcium phosphate mineral that is one of the strongest materials found in
nature. The structure of the dentin layer is very porous, allowing nutrients and materials
produced in the pulp to spread through the tooth.
The enamel - the white, outer layer of the crown - forms an extremely hard, nonporous
cap over the dentin. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body.
Teeth are classified into four major groups: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.
Incisors are chisel-shaped teeth found in the front of the mouth and have a flat apical surface
for cutting food into smaller bits.
Canine |ˈkeɪnaɪn| teeth, also known as cuspids|ˈkʌspɪd|, are sharply pointed, cone-shaped teeth
next to incisors |ɪnˈsaɪzə| on both sides. Premolars and molars are large, flat-surfaced teeth
found in the back ofthe mouth. Peaks and valleys on the flat apical surface of premolars and
molars are used for chewing and grinding food into tiny pieces.

VOCABULARY EXERCISES
1. Match the terms with the definitions.
1. Root- the portion of a tooth that is covered by cementum
2. Crown- the part of the tooth that is visible
3. Implant- something artificial that is put into body in a medical operation.
4. Cavity- a hole or a space inside something
5. Pulp-the part of the inside of a tooth

2. Fill in the correct word.

Connective, nerve, blood, stem, mineralized, hard
Nerve fibers Blood vessels
Stem cells Hard substance
Connective tissue Mineralized layer

3. Make up 5 questions to the text

What are the main parts of tooth?

What is the cement made of?

What is pulp?

What are the major groups of teeth?

What is a tooth?