This illustration shows the anatomy of a tooth and gums as well as the supporting structures that surround a tooth.
Glossary of Terms:
Blood vessels
- carry nutrients to the tooth.
Bone
- alveolar bone forms the tooth socket and provides it with support.
Cementum
- the layer of hard bone-like tissue covering the root of the tooth.
Cemento-enamel junction
- the line where the enamel and cementum meet.
Dentin
- the hard yellow tissue underlying the enamel and cementum, making up the main bulk of the tooth.
Enamel
- the hard, white outer layer of the tooth.
Gingiva
- the gum tissue surrounding the tooth.
Ligament
- the connective tissue that surrounds the tooth and connects it to bone.
Nerves
- relay signals such as pain to and from your brain.
Pulp
- located in the center of the tooth, it contains the arteries, veins and nerves.
Root canal
- canal in the root of the tooth where the nerves and blood vessels travel through.