What are teeth made of is a common question among people. It is a common misconception to believe that teeth are completely made of the same material that the outer surfaces of teeth are made of. Some people may be surprised to learn that teeth are not solid either. If these beliefs are wrong, what are teeth made of?
The only part of the tooth that we see is the outer layer of the top part of the tooth. This outer layer is made of a material called enamel or tooth enamel. Tooth enamel is the hardest material in the body. It is even harder than bone.
The enamel is not able to heal itself since it is not a living material. Cavities occur when the enamel is damaged by bacteria. Since the enamel cannot repair itself like damaged skin can, cavities can only be treated by a dentist. In addition to cavities, damaged enamel can cause tooth sensitivity. This tooth sensitivity can mean that the lower layer of the tooth has been exposed by the damaged enamel.
A hollow cavity inside the tooth holds nerves and small blood vessels. This hollow cavity is called the pulp chamber. The hollow cavity continues down through the bottom, or root, of the tooth. The cavity in the lower portion of the tooth is often referred to as the root canal. This should not be confused with the dental procedure by the same name that prepares a tooth for a crown.
The top portion of the tooth that we can see is called the crown. The part of the tooth that is just below the gumline is called the neck of the tooth. The lower portion of the tooth is called the root. The root of the tooth is anchored in the jaw.
The cementum is connective tissue that firmly binds the tooth in place. The cementum is sometimes referred to as cement. The cementum connects the tooth to the gums and jaw.
Under the enamel, the teeth are composed of dentin. The dentin is a hard, calcified material. The inside of the tooth is not made of solid dentin. What are teeth made of under the layer of enamel? Now you know.
