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Time for a Lesson in Dental Anatomy!

Live Life Smiling

dental-anatomy
  • Holmes and Palmer Orthodontics
  • June 9, 2022

 

THERE WON’T BE a pop-quiz later, but we still want our patients to be familiar with the anatomy of their teeth, starting with the crown and going down to the roots. Everything visible above the gums is the crown, which has three layers.

Tooth Enamel

On the outside is the enamel, the hardest substance in our bodies. It needs to be that hard to withstand a lifetime’s worth of chewing our food, but enamel doesn’t replace itself once it’s gone. That’s why it’s so important to brush, floss, limit our consumption of sugary and acidic food and drink, and schedule regular dental cleanings.

Dentin and Pulp

Underneath the enamel is the dentin, a more bony layer that is yellow and porous. At the very center is the pulp chamber, which contains nerves and blood vessels. The pulp is how our teeth feel temperature changes and pain if something is wrong. Never ignore dental pain; it’s a natural warning sign from the body!

Roots

Beneath the gum line are the roots of the teeth. They’re longer than the crowns, anchored deep in the jawbone and cushioned by the periodontal membrane. Unlike the crowns, roots are only protected by gum tissue and cementum (which isn’t as hard as enamel). Each root tip has a tiny hole, through which nerves and blood vessels connect to the pulp.

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

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Patient reviews

EVERY SMILE TELLS A SPECIAL STORY

We are thankful for the opportunity to serve our community with excellent care and take pride in our mission of having a patient-centered philosophy. Check out what our patients are saying about us!

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Kelsey M.
Great staff, very informative and friendly. This we love it here! My daughter Maeve is excited to finish her braces soon!
Kelsey M.
Great staff, very informative and friendly. This we love it here! My daughter Maeve is excited to finish her braces soon!
Kelsey M.
Great staff, very informative and friendly. This we love it here! My daughter Maeve is excited to finish her braces soon!
Kelsey M.
Great staff, very informative and friendly. This we love it here! My daughter Maeve is excited to finish her braces soon!
Kelsey M.
Great staff, very informative and friendly. This we love it here! My daughter Maeve is excited to finish her braces soon!
Kelsey M.
Great staff, very informative and friendly. This we love it here! My daughter Maeve is excited to finish her braces soon!
Kelsey M.
Great staff, very informative and friendly. This we love it here! My daughter Maeve is excited to finish her braces soon!
Sheri S.
I went to Holmes & Palmer, Huntington office for a consultation about my shifting adult teeth. The staff was professional and knowledgeable. They came up with a plan for me and got started on it right away. I was impressed by their modern equipment. No dental impressions were needed, thanks to their up-to-date cameras!
Sheri S.
I went to Holmes & Palmer, Huntington office for a consultation about my shifting adult teeth. The staff was professional and knowledgeable. They came up with a plan for me and got started on it right away. I was impressed by their modern equipment. No dental impressions were needed, thanks to their up-to-date cameras!
Jane E.
It isn't always easy to find providers that are especially patient and kind to patients with special needs. This group ALWAYS go out of their way to make us feel welcome and comfortable. The staff is wonderful! We are extremely blessed to have the orthodontic care we need from this business.
Jane E.
It isn't always easy to find providers that are especially patient and kind to patients with special needs. This group ALWAYS go out of their way to make us feel welcome and comfortable. The staff is wonderful! We are extremely blessed to have the orthodontic care we need from this business.
Legacy S.
Today at Drs Holmes and Palmer my Granddaughter ,Legacy Spurlock , had her braces put on.
I am so happy we Chose them. Not only was the Young lady, putting the braces on very nice That made Legacyy feel very comfortable and answered every question that she asked, and she asked a lot.
We are home now. She doesn’t need anything for pain, She is very proud of her Yes braces and her experience she had.
Thank you to every one that made her experience. One she will always remember.
Legacy S.
Today at Drs Holmes and Palmer my Granddaughter ,Legacy Spurlock , had her braces put on.
I am so happy we Chose them. Not only was the Young lady, putting the braces on very nice That made Legacyy feel very comfortable and answered every question that she asked, and she asked a lot.
We are home now. She doesn’t need anything for pain, She is very proud of her Yes braces and her experience she had.
Thank you to every one that made her experience. One she will always remember.
Staci A.
Very friendly and experienced. Awesome with kids! My son, Evan is 9 and was a little nervous for his first orthodontist consult appointment. They worked well showing and explaining everything they were getting ready to do. Even let him “help” some!! He has a follow up in 6 months to see if it’s time for his braces then. He’s not as worried about his next appointment now. Highly recommend!! Thank you!
Staci A.
Very friendly and experienced. Awesome with kids! My son, Evan is 9 and was a little nervous for his first orthodontist consult appointment. They worked well showing and explaining everything they were getting ready to do. Even let him “help” some!! He has a follow up in 6 months to see if it’s time for his braces then. He’s not as worried about his next appointment now. Highly recommend!! Thank you!
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