The tooth has two anatomical parts; the crown and the root.
- The crown is the part of the tooth that is normally visible in the mouth. Enamel is the hard outer layer of the crown. Dentine is not as hard as enamel and forms the bulk of the tooth. It can be sensitive if the protection of the enamel is lost. Pulp is the soft tissue containing the blood and nerve supply of the tooth and enables sensations of tooth sensitivity or pain.
- The root of a tooth is the part embedded in the jaw. It anchors the tooth in its bony socket and is normally not visible (below the gum line). Finally, Cementum is the layer of bone-like tissue covering the root. It is not as hard as enamel.
- Structures around the tooth include the periodontal ligament, which is responsible for attaching the tooth to the jaw bone. The soft tissue that immediately surrounds the teeth and bone is the Gingiva. The alveolar bone provides a socket to surround and support the roots of the teeth.
The permanent teeth are 32 in number. The permanent central incisors, lateral incisors and canines replace the primary incisors and canines respectively. The primary molars are replaced by permanent premolars, and the permanent molars erupt posterior to them. The functions of the different teeth are as follows-
- The Incisors are the four front teeth in both the upper and lower jaws. Their primary function is to cut food.
- Canines, also called cuspids, are teeth used for ripping and tearing at foods that might be tough, such as meat. You have a total of four of them, located next to your four top front teeth and your four bottom teeth.
- Premolars, or bicuspids, are used for chewing and grinding food. Adults have four premolars on each side of their mouths — two on the upper and two on the lower jaw.
- Molars are also used for chewing and grinding food.
Types of Permanent Teeth
