Teeth play a crucial role in our daily lives, whether it's eating, talking or smiling.
The tooth is made up of several distinct parts:
- Crown: This is the visible part of the tooth that protrudes from the gumline. The crown is covered with enamel, the hardest substance in the human body, which protects the tooth from damage and wear.
- Collar: This is the transition zone between the crown and the root of the tooth.
- Root: It is anchored in the jawbone and supports the tooth. The root is covered with a substance called cementum, which helps attach the tooth to the bone.
- Pulp: This is the central part of the tooth, filled with connective tissue, blood vessels and nerves. The pulp provides the necessary nutrients for the tooth and is responsible for tooth sensitivity.
Teeth have several essential functions:
- Mastication: Teeth allow us to chew food, breaking it down into smaller pieces to aid digestion.
- Phonetics: The teeth play an important role in the formation of sounds during speech. They help to produce clear and precise sounds.
- Aesthetics: Teeth contribute to our aesthetic appearance by participating in our smile and our facial expression.
The teeth are specially designed for different functions:
- Incisors: Incisors are flat, sharp teeth located at the front of the mouth. They are mainly used for cutting food.
- Canines: The canines are longer, pointed teeth located next to the incisors. They help tear food apart.
- Premolars and molars: The premolars and molars are larger teeth that are better suited to chewing food. They have occlusal surfaces with ridges and pits for better grinding function.