What Teeth Are Made Of? 4 Essential Components
Teeth are made of four layers: enamel, dentin, pulp, and cementum. Enamel protects the tooth; dentin supports it; pulp contains nerves and blood vessels, and cementum anchors the root in the jaw.
Teeth contribute to the major functions, including food chewing, digestion, swallowing, and speech, and add aesthetics to the human face as a bright smile. Each tooth serves a particular function.
In this blog, we will explore the chemical composition of human teeth and what elements combine to make teeth.
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What Are Teeth Actually Made Of?
Human teeth are structures that help eat, chew food, digestion, and speech. There are three major parts of a tooth, which include the following:
1: Crown: A part of the tooth above the gums, which gives it a proper shape.
2: Neck: The tooth section connects the crown with the roots.
3: Root: The third and the last section of a tooth that anchors it with the bones.
What is the Anatomy of Teeth?
Some people think that teeth are bones, which is not true. Unlike bones, the teeth have four basic layers which make them whole. These layers include:
- Enamel
- Dentin
- Cementum
- Pulp
Enamel:
The outer layer of a tooth that covers it and protects the inner layers is known as enamel. It is mostly made up of rock mineral calcium phosphate. It varies in thickness at different parts of the teeth. Mostly, it is thicker around the molars and premolars.
Dentin:
After enamel, the next layer of a tooth is the dentin, which is under the first layer and contains small tubes. This sensitive layer contains living cells and secretes a mineral substance. The critical role of this layer is to send sensations to the nerves of your teeth.
Cementum:
The third layer in your teeth acts as a bridge between the roots and the gums. It contains 55% organic and 45% inorganic matter. The cementum is responsible for anchoring the tooth firmly in your jaws.
Pulp:
It is known as the heart of a tooth, as it is primarily responsible for sending signals to the brain. It contains nerves and blood vessels. Moreover, it contains living tissues that keep it alive.
Are Teeth Bones?
Now for the big question: Are teeth made of hair or bones? While they might seem like bones, teeth are actually made from a combination of organic and inorganic materials, with mineral hydroxyapatite being a key component.
The bones contain collagen, whereas the teeth have calcium phosphate, offering additional strength to their framework.
Although teeth are not bones, some evidence suggests that human teeth are chemically similar to bones. Made with resilient substances, they last long and have similar chemical makeup.
Teeth also seem to have bone marrow in pulp with distinguished minerals to make them rigid enough for food grinding and gnashing.
Adult Tooth Vs. Baby Tooth
Baby teeth are the teeth that develop in early life stages and last only a few years. The baby teeth contain enamel and dentin. The enamel is mostly thicker in baby teeth than in adult teeth. Moreover, they are responsible for the shape of the mouth for permanent teeth.
Baby teeth are mostly 20 in number. Adult teeth, on the other hand, are 32, except for the wisdom teeth that erupt after the age of 13. Enamel is the outer protective layer and protects dentin, cementum, and pulp.
The front teeth are sharper, and the knife is perfect for incisive biting. Moving backward, teeth can distribute equal pressure over a large surface area.
Right at the back of the mouth are wisdom teeth that seem to cause many issues and are removed early for complications.
The Bottom line:
To sum up, teeth are not bones but are made up of similar material. Even though human teeth are delicate, they are covered with the strongest mineral in your body. Regular teeth brushing and flossing make it possible to maintain dental hygiene at home.
PVPD offers extensive dental services, including teeth scaling, baby’s first teeth cleaning, dental X-ray, braces, and Invisalign. If you are also thinking about fixing your smile, Contact us today.
FAQs
Is a tooth made of bone?
Although teeth and bones share some similarities, teeth are not bones. They are made up of minerals that have enough capability to make them stronger, just like bones.
What material is on teeth?
Naturally, the teeth have calcium and minerals. However, in dental settings, there are a number of materials used on teeth for reshaping and recovering their function, such as porcelain, silver amalgam, tooth composite resin, and more.
What material is used to make a tooth?
Teeth are made with porcelain in the lab, especially for dental implants and restoration. It is similar to natural teeth and offers the same hardness, appearance, and durability.
Are teeth made of protein?
A protein known as amelogenin plays a vital role in giving enamel a structure that protects other teeth layers.
