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How are enamel, dentine, cementum, and pulp different from one another?
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dentistry
The practice of dentistry involves preventing, diagnosing, and treating oral disease, as well as correcting deformities of the jaws, teeth, and oral cavity.
In dentistry, a tooth is composed of three primary structural layers, each serving a distinct function and possessing unique physical properties.1
- Enamel: This is the outermost, inorganic layer covering the crown of the tooth. It is the hardest tissue in the human body, designed to protect the underlying structures from wear and decay. Unlike other dental tissues, mature enamel is not living and contains no nerves.12
- Dentine: This yellowish tissue forms the bulk or core of the tooth, extending beneath the enamel on the crown and beneath the cementum on the roots. While harder than bone, it is softer than enamel. It contains tubules that transmit sensations of pain, pressure, and temperature to the pulp.31
- Cementum: This is a thin, bonelike layer that covers the roots of the tooth. It is softer than both dentine and enamel and serves as the attachment point for the periodontal membrane, which anchors the tooth in the jawbone.41
- Pulp: Located in the center of the tooth, the pulp is a soft tissue containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. It provides nourishment to the dentine and acts as the tooth's sensory center.513