Crown —
the top part of the tooth, and the only part you can normally see. The
shape of the crown determines the tooth's function.
Root — the
part of the tooth that is embedded in bone. The root makes up about
two-thirds of the tooth and holds the tooth in place.
Enamel —
the outermost layer of the tooth. Enamel is the hardest, most
mineralized tissue in the body — yet it can be damaged by decay if teeth
are not cared for properly.
Dentin — the layer of the tooth
under the enamel. If decay is able to progress its way through the
enamel, it next attacks the dentin — where millions of tiny tubes lead
directly to the dental pulp.
Pulp — the soft tissue found
in the center of all teeth, where the nerve tissue and blood vessels
are. If tooth decay reaches the pulp, you usually feel pain.
Gums
- the gum or gingiva is the pink tissue that surrounds the teeth and
bone forming a protective barrier at the neck of the tooth. When gums
become inflamed the condition is called gingivitis and if the
inflammation continues to include the bone, the condition is called
periodontitis.
Alveolar Bone - the jawbone that immediately
surrounds the teeth is called the alveolar bone. In periodontitis this
bone can slowly resorb due to the inflammatory process.
Periodontal
Ligament - in between the alveolar bone and the teeth are connective
tissue fibres that form the periodontal ligament, that anchor the teeth
into place.
