teeth

• teeth are set in alveoli
• gingiva or gums, cover the alveolar processes
• Periodontal ligaments secure the teeth in the alveoli
• Dental caries, or tooth decay, is a breakdown of enamel by bacterial acids
• Periodontal disease is the inflammation and degradation of the periodontal ligaments
• Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gingiva
• teeth play an important role in mastication and assist in speech
• Adults normally have 32 teeth
• two dental arches: the maxillary arch and the mandibular arch
• third molars are often called wisdom teeth
• teeth of the adult mouth are called permanent teeth or secondary teeth
• replacements, deciduous teeth, or primary teeth, also called milk teeth
• Each tooth consists of a crown with one or more cusps, a neck, and a root
• clinical crown is the part of the tooth exposed in the oral cavity
• anatomical crown is the entire enamel-covered part of the tooth
• center of the tooth is a pulp cavity
• filled with blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue called pulp.
• pulp cavity within the root is called the root canal
• nerves and blood vessels of the tooth enter and exit the pulp through a hole called apical foramen
• The pulp cavity is surrounded by living, cellular, calcified tissue called dentin
• enamel, which protects the tooth against abrasion and acids
• covered with a bonelike substance called cementum, which helps anchor the tooth to the periodontal ligament in the jaw