Teeth

16 permanent teeth in each jaw:

ENAMEL

Location and Function: cover of the tooth crown, the hardest substance in the body.

Composition: 96-98% - hydroxyapatite that is arranged in rods or prisms 4-8 mkm in diameter.

CEMENTUM

Location and Function: cover of the tooth root, a bone-like material.

Composition: (see Ct/bone.html) - 45-50% - mineral content, Sharpey's fibers (collagen fibers), oxytalan fibers (elastic fibers).

Cells:

DENTIN

Location and Function: major material of the tooth substance, lies deep to the enamel and cementum.

Composition: (see Ct/bone.html) - 70% - hydroxyapatite and odontoblasts (osteoblasts).

PULP

Location: pulp cavity, the space within a tooth.

Function: form vascular and neural networks beneath and within the layer of odontoblasts.

Composition: loose connective tissue with blood vessels and nerves.

PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT

Function: joining the tooth to its surrounding bone.

Composition: dense connective tissue and loose connective tissue