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In our life time, we have two sets of teeth: deciduous
teeth and permanent teeth. There are 20 deciduous teeth and 32 permanent
teeth. Usually, dentine is slightly yellowish in colour. Since enamel
in permanent teeth are more transparent than that of deciduous teeth,
the colour of dentine shows through more easily in permanent teeth. Therefore,
permanent teeth are usually more yellowish when compared to deciduous
teeth. Since dentine thickens as we get older, our teeth may become more
yellowish with age.
Enamel
- The outermost layer of the crown.
- Mainly consists of minerals (calcium, phosphorus, etc.)
- The hardest tissue of human body.
- Generally transparent or milky white in colour.
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Dentine
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The second layer of the crown.
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Generally light yellow in colour. Its colour
determines the overall colour of the tooth.
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There are many microscopic tubules inside
the dentine which connect to the pulp.
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Cementum
- A hard tissue covering the root surface of a tooth.
- Connecting the periodontal membrane and dentine of the root
of a tooth.
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Pulp
- The chamber inside a tooth.
- Filled with blood vessels and nerve fibres.
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Gingivae
- Also known as "gum".
- A layer of soft tissue covering the surface of alveolar bone.
- Healthy gingivae is pink in colour.
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Periodontal membrane
- A layer of fibrous tissue.
- Connecting cementum and alveolar bone.
- A buffer for teeth to sustain pressure from chewing to avoid
damages to the teeth.
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Alveolar bone
Bony tissue surrounding a tooth for its support.
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