Teeth

See also: white teeth

In the mouth of man and of the other Mammals the foods are mechanically shredded from the teeth and amalgamated with the saliva thanks to the movements of the tongue. In some animal species the teeth do not have a masticatory function but are simply used to hold back the prey or to detach pieces of food that will be swallowed whole.

In humans the masticatory function is carried out mainly by molars and premolars that rubbing on top of each other reduce the food to pulp. On the other hand, incisors and canines allow you to tear up shreds of food by chopping them coarsely.

Each tooth is housed in a cavity of the jaw or jaw called the dental alveolus.

In each tooth there are three parts:

Crown

The crown : it is the part of the tooth that protrudes from the alveolus. Visible to the naked eye, it takes on a different shape depending on the type of tooth; in the incisors it is flattened and sharp, in the pointed and enlarged canines, in the molars and in the premolars it has several cusps.

Collar

The collar : it is located between the root and the crown where it forms a transitional tissue around which the moss forms the gingiva.

Roots

One or more roots: they are inserted into the alveolus and are anchored to its walls by connective tissue ligaments (peridontal ligament). The root is unique in the incisors, canines and lower premolars, while it is double or triple in the upper premolars and in the molars.

Dentin

The teeth are formed from dentin (or ivory), a particular type of very resistant yellowish bone tissue. Its function is to protect the pulp from temperature variations and mechanical stresses. Not by chance, the teeth are the most mineralized organs of the human body.

Nail varnish

In the crown, the dentin is covered with a layer of enamel, a particular white epithelial tissue that is very resistant and mineralized and has the task of protecting the tooth from external aggressions. At the level of the collar and the roots, the dentin is covered by another type of bone tissue, called cement, which anchors it to its seat.

Dental pulp

In the dentin there is a small cavity (pulpal cavity) which contains the pulp of the tooth particularly rich in blood vessels and nerve endings (trigeminal nerve). It continues in a canaliculus that runs through each of the roots (root canal) and then flows into the alveolus with a small hole, through which blood vessels and nerves penetrate into the tooth. Inside it contains particular cells, the odontoplasts, which have the function of producing the dentin necessary for renewal processes.

The sensitivity of the tooth is due to the presence of nerve endings inside the dental pulp. Each tooth has a tactile, thermal and pain sensitivity.

To know more

Dental pulp

Sensitive Teeth

Teething

At birth the newborn has no teeth; the dentition begins beginning around the 6th 8th month of life when the first of the 20 deciduous teeth begin to appear ( milk dentition ). Of these only the 4 molars remain for life while the others are gradually replaced starting from the 6-7th year.

The number and type of Mammalian teeth can be expressed using the dental formula.

Above the line are reported, from left to right, the number of incisors, canines, premolars and molars placed on the middle of the jaw; below the line are the same teeth placed on the middle of the jaw.

In humans the definitive dentition corresponds to 32 teeth: 4 incisors 2 canines 4 premolars and 6 molars on the maxilla and the same number on the mandible.

Dental infections

Consult the in-depth articles

Dental Abscess: Causes and Symptoms

Dental Granuloma

pulpitis

Dental alveolitis

Teeth cysts

Gingivitis