Tooth Anatomy
Provided by Colgate
What Are the Different Parts of a Tooth?
- 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. For example, front teeth are sharp
and chisel-shaped for cutting, while molars have flat
surfaces for grinding.
- Gumline: where the tooth and the gums meet. Without
proper brushing and flossing, plaque and tartar can build
up at the gumline, leading to gingivitis and gum disease.
- 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.
What Are the Different Types of Teeth?
Every tooth has a specific job or function (Use the dental
arch in this section to locate and identify each type
of tooth):
Illustration
created by Michael Becker
- Incisors: the sharp, chisel-shaped front teeth (four
upper, four lower) used for cutting food.
- Canines: sometimes called cuspids, these teeth are shaped
like points (or cusps) and are used for tearing food.
- Premolars: these teeth have two pointed cusps on their
biting surface and are sometimes referred to as bicuspids.
The premolars are for crushing and tearing.
- Molars: used
for grinding, these teeth have several cusps on the biting
surface.
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