Your teeth are composed of three sections: the crown, neck and root. Your tooth also has different layers inside of it: the enamel, dentin, pulp and cementum.

The crown is the top part of your tooth - the section you can see. The neck is the part of your tooth between the root and crown. And the last section of your tooth that extends through your gums and into the jawbone. Some teeth have only one or two roots but molars can have up to four roots.

The top layer of your crown is the tooth enamel. The enamel is the hardest material in your body. Your enamel cannot grow back, which is why you need to go to the dentist to fix cavities, cracks and broken teeth. The enamel of your baby teeth is less hard and half as thick compared to adult teeth. Learn more about this protective layer in this Ask A Dentist blog post. 

Below the enamel is a layer called dentin. Dentin is a yellow-ish tissue that makes up the majority of your tooth. It’s harder than bone but softer than enamel. It’s mainly made up of calcium and phosphates. Unlike enamel, dentin can regenerate. Secondary dentin is produced throughout your lifetime as a patching material for cavities. 

Dentin surrounds the pulp, which consists of cells, blood vessels and the nerves of your tooth. The pulp is the innermost layer of your tooth and nourishes the dentin. The pulp canal runs down the roots of your tooth and connects to your body’s nutrition and nervous systems.

The cementum is located below your gum line along the root of your tooth. The cementum is similar to bone but isn’t as hard as dentin. It helps anchor your tooth into your gums. Cementum also helps maintain your bite. As your crown wears down, new cementum is deposited along the roots so that your tooth gradually rises higher in the socket, fixing any changes to your bite. 

Looking for a new dentist or want to know more about your teeth? Book an appointment at either of our Winnipeg dental clinics today. We’re accepting new patients at both our St. Vital Centre and Garden City Shopping Centre locations.