Dr. Patrick A. Palma                                          
          2011 All Rights Reserved                                                 Address:    620 Commercial Street     Mingo Junction, Ohio 43938                        Phone ( 740 ) 535 - 0600

 

Glossary of Terms:

Blood vessels - carry nutrients to the tooth.

Bone - alveolar bone forms the tooth socket and provides it with support.

Cementum - the layer of hard bone-like tissue covering the root of the tooth.

Cemento-enamel junction - the line where the enamel and cementum meet.

Dentin - the hard yellow tissue underlying the enamel and cementum, making up the main bulk of the tooth.

Enamel - the hard, white outer layer of the tooth.

Gingiva - the gum tissue surrounding the tooth.

Ligament - the connective tissue that surrounds the tooth and connects it to bone.

Nerves - relay signals such as pain to and from your brain.

Pulp - located in the center of the tooth, it contains the arteries, veins and nerves.

Root canal - canal in the root of the tooth where the nerves and blood vessels travel through.

 

Dr. Patrick A. Palma

Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

( 740 ) 535 - 0600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This illustration shows the anatomy of a tooth and gums as well as the supporting structures that surround a tooth. The left side shows healthy gums and bones and the right side shows unhealthy supporting structures.

Not all teeth have one root. For example: the molars on the top arch have three roots, whereas, the molars on the bottom arch have two roots.

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