Tooth Anatomy

Apex (A)

area of tooth where the nerves and blood vessels enter and exit the tooth. located at the end of the root tip

Bone (B)

hard tissue that all teeth reside within

Cementoenamel Junction (CEJ)

junction line between the enamel layer and the cementum layer of the tooth. where the outside and inside parts of the teeth touch at the gums

Cementum (CM)

specialized later of cells which cover the root surface. outside layer of root.

Crown (CR)

part of tooth that is visible (the part we see past the gums)

Dentin (D)

softer, underlying layer beneath the enamel

Enamel (E)

hard, white material which covers the crown portion of the tooth. it is the hardest surface of our body

Sulcus (S)

trough formed by the collar of gingiva. measured with a periodontal probe to determine if periodontal (gum) disease is present. when there is a big gap, it is called a pocket

Gingival Margin (GM)

rolled border or crest of tissue surrounding the crown portion of each tooth, it is around the attached gingiva but it is the part of the gums that are directly surrounding to the crown

Pulp Canal (C)

thin lines of nerves and blood vessels which enter and exit the apex of the tooth and are responsible for the nourishment of the pulp tissue of the tooth

Pulp Chamber (PC)

large chamber at the center of the crown portion of the tooth containing nerves and blood supply

Periodontal Membrane (PM)

network of thousands of hair-like ligaments between the root and bone which serve to act as a shock absorber for the tooth and hold the tooth in the bony socket

Root (R)

part of the tooth not covered by enamel. it is usually embedded in bone and is covered by a layer of specialized cells called cementum