tooth

Introduction

One of the hard conical structures set in the alveoli of the upper & lower jaws (maxilla & mandible). Teeth are used in mastication & assisting in articulation.

A tooth is a dermal structure composed of dentin & encases in cementum on the root & enamel on the crown. It consists of a root buried in the alveolus, a neck covered by the gum, & a crown (the exposed part).

In the center of the tooth is the pulp cavity filled with a connective tissue reticulum containing a jelly-like substance (dental pulp) & blood vessels & nerves that enter through an aperture at the apex of the root.

The 20 deciduous or primary teeth appear between the 6-9 months & 24th months. These teeth exfoliate & are replaced by the 32 permanent teeth appearing between ages 5-7 & 17-23 years.

There are 4 kinds of teeth:

• incisor
• canine
• premolars
• molars

More general terms

• anatomic structure

More specific terms

• alveolar process of maxilla/mandible
• canine tooth
• deciduous/primary/milk/baby/temporary teeth; first/primary dentition
• dental arch
• incisor
• molar tooth
• permanent/secondary tooth, (secondary/succedaneous dentition)
• premolar (bicuspid)

Additional terms

• age-associated changes in teeth
• tooth disease; odontogenic disease

Components

• tooth root
• tooth crown