By studying the anatomy of a tooth and learning about the functions of the many structures, we can better understand the basics of maintaining good oral health and why it is so important to avoid cavities. Let’s take a look at... The crown is the part of the tooth you see when you look in your mouth. The crowns of your back teeth have pointed cusps and depressions. When you chew, the cusps of the teeth in one jaw fit into the depressions of [...]
Learn Your Tooth Anatomy, Shape, and Function Teeth differ in shape depending on their function & position in the mouth. On the inside, however, they all share the same basic anatomy. Parts of a Tooth Crown: the visible, chewing portion of the tooth. Root: the portion of the tooth hidden by the gums, it anchors the tooth into the jawbone. (The root makes up about two-thirds of the total length of the tooth.) Enamel: the hard outer covering of the crown of the tooth, [...]
We are Growing Older... As the population ages—more gracefully than ever, of course— we're keeping more teeth. Along with wisdom and experience, however, come different health problems. Among them, cavities on the surface of the tooth root, what we call root caries. Growing up, most decay is found on the surface of teeth, usually the crown. But gum tissue has a way of receding as the years go by, and this exposes the root to bacteria that cause decay. Periodontal (gum) disease worsens the [...]
