Dental Anatomy - for all ages.

Dental Anatomy - for students of all ages.

A) Tooth Root -

That portion of a tooth that is embedded in the jawbone. Individual types of teeth characteristically have 1, 2, or 3 roots. Individual roots can be distinct or fused with others.

B) Tooth Crown -

That portion of a tooth that lies above the gum line, and when you look in someone's mouth, the part of their teeth that you see. This is also that part of a tooth that is covered with dental enamel.

C) Tooth Neck -

The area where a tooth's root and crown meet. It's found in the same general area as where a tooth's gum line lies.

D) Enamel -

The white, calcified tissue that covers the crown portion of a tooth. It's the hardest (most mineralized) tissue found in the human body.

E) Dentin -

A calcified tissue that is harder than bone but less mineralized than tooth enamel. Most a tooth's hard internal structure is composed of dentin.

F) Cementum -

A very thin layer of calcified tissue that covers the surface of a tooth's root. The fibers of one side of a tooth's periodontal ligament are anchored in this layer.

G) Dental Pulp -

The soft tissue that lies within the hollow chamber found inside each tooth. It's composed of blood vessels, nerve fibers and connective tissue. Informally, it's often referred to simply as a tooth's "nerve."

H) Alveolar Bone -

That aspect of the jawbone that encases and anchors the roots of teeth. The portion of the jaw where tooth sockets are located.

I) Gingiva -

The oral skin tissue that surrounds the teeth and covers the surface of the jawbones. It is also referred to as gum tissue.

J) Periodontal Ligament -

That tissue that occupies the space between a tooth's root and the bone that surrounds it. It firmly binds the tooth in place within its socket.

K) Pulp Chamber -

The hollow space that lies within the center of a tooth's crown. It is filled with the tooth's pulp tissue.

Tooth Names and Positions.

A. Baby Teeth
Tooth Names		Positions
Front Teeth: A. Central incisor B. Lateral incisor C. Canine or eye tooth		Upper Teeth
Back Teeth: D. First molar E. Second molar	Lower Teeth
A. Permanent Teeth
Tooth Names		Positions
Front Teeth: 1. Central incisor 2. Lateral incisor 3. Canine or eye tooth		Upper Teeth
Back Teeth: 4. First premolar 5. Second premolar 6. First Molar 7. Second Molar 8. Third Molar Or Wisdom Tooth	Lower Teeth

 The Jaws and Jaw Joints (Temporomandibular Joints / TMJ)

• The temporomandibular joints are the two jaw joints, one at each side of the face
• • Movement of the lower jaw is made possible by this joint.
  • The upper jaw is called the maxilla and is joined to the temporal bone.
  • The lower jaw is called the mandible or mandibular bone.
  • The term "temporomandibular" refers to the connection between these two bones.
  • Chewing and speech would not be possible without this joint.