Anatomy of the Teeth

Amirhossein Vaezi
 ▪ Enamel – the hard tissue that covers the
crown portion of the tooth (hardest
substance in the body).
▪ Cementum – the substance covering
the root surface of the tooth.
▪ Dentin – the material forming the main
inner portion of the tooth structure.
Tissues of the ▪ Pulp – the vital tissues of the tooth
Tooth consisting of nerves, blood vessels, and
connective tissue.
▪ Pulp chamber – open area in center of
tooth, found in the crown area; place for
the pulpal tissues.
▪ Pulp canal – small canal or trench area in
the center of the root, containing the
pulpal vessels.
 ▪ Crown – top portion of the tooth
covered by enamel.
▪ Clinical crown - portion of the tooth that
is visible in the mouth.
▪ Anatomical crown – the total portion of
the crown that is covered by the emanel.

▪ Root – bottom part of the tooth; may be

single-, double-, or triple-root.
▪ Clinical root – portion of the root covered
by the gingival (gum) tissue.
▪ Anatomical root – total portion of the root
Parts of a Tooth covered by the cementum.

▪ Cervix – neck – the neck of the tooth at

the cementoenamel junction.
▪ Apex – the anatomic area at the end of
the tooth root.
 Tissues surrounding the Teeth

▪ Alveolar process – the extension of the maxilla and

mandible that surrounds and supports the teeth to form the
dental arches.
▪ Alveolar bone – the part of the alveolar process that lines
the bony sockets into which the roots of the teeth are
embedded.
▪ Periodontal ligament – dense connective tissue organized
into fiber groups that connects the cementum covering of
the root of the tooth with the alveolar bone of the socket
wall.
▪ Gingiva – the mucous membrane tissue that immediately
surrounds the tooth.
▪ Attached gingiva – the portion of the gingiva extending
from the gingival margin to the alveolar mucosa.
▪ Free gingiva – the part of the gingiva that surrounds the
tooth and is not directly attached to the tooth surface.
 ▪ Facial – pertaining to the surface of the
Surfaces of the
cheekTeeth
and lips (face).
▪ Labial – pertaining to the lips: anterior
surface of the anterior teeth.
▪ Buccal – pertaining to the cheek: surface
of the posterior teeth touching the cheek.
▪ Lingual – surface of the tooth or area
touching the tongue.
▪ ncisal edge – cutting edge of the
anterior teeth.
▪ Occlusal – chewing surface of the
posterior teeth
▪ Proximal – side wall of tooth which meet
with or touches the side wall of another
tooth.
▪ Mesial – to the middle: side surface
closest to the middle of the face.
▪ Distal – pertaining to the far or away side:
side farthest from the midline of the face.