Lybrate Logo
Get the App
For Doctors
Login/Sign-up
Book Appointment
Treatment
Ask a Question
Plan my Surgery
Health Feed
tab_logos
About
tab_logos
Health Feed
tab_logos
Find Doctors

Teeth (Human Anatomy): Diagram, Names, Diseases, Treatments

Last Updated: Apr 07, 2023

Teeth

Topic Image

The strongest substance in a human being's body is their teeth. The teeth are essential for the act of mastication or chewing, but they are also helpful for speech production, or word articulation.

Teeth functions

Topic Image

  • Enamel: The strongest and whitest portion of the teeth's exterior. It is mostly made of the tenacious mineral calcium phosphate.The tough coating that protects the tooth's crown, called enamel, is the body's toughest biologic tissue. Enamel covers the portion of the teeth that is visible to the oral environment and gives form and shape to the top of teeth.
  • Dentin: The layer of the tooth that lies beneath the enamel (enamel). It is a robust tissue made up of microscopic body tubes. A live, delicate tissue that is generally not visible to the oral environment is the dentin.
  • Pulp: It is the delicate, living, inner part of the tooth. The dental pulp, also known as the dentin-pulp complex, is crossed by blood vessels and nerves.
  • Cementum: The layer of connective tissue that firmly connects the tooth root or root canal to the gingiva (gums) and jawbone is referred to as cementum.
  • Periodontal Ligament: This type of tissue helps to firmly maintain the teeth in opposition to the jaw.There are a total of 32 teeth in a normal human adult, which usually appears at around age of 13, except the wisdom teeth.
  • Incisors (8 Total): There are 4 teeth each on maxilla and mandible in the middlemost region. It helps in the cutting of food materials.
  • Canines (4 Total): There are 4 pointed teeth, which are found exterior to the incisors. It helps in the tearing of the food materials.
  • Premolars (8 Total): The premolar teeth are found in between the canines and molars. It helps in the grinding of the food materials.
  • Molars (8 Total): Flat teeth in the rear of the mouth, best at grinding food. The fourth set of molars, or wisdom teeth, appear at the age of 18, although they are frequently surgically removed to prevent the movement of neighbouring teeth.
  • Mouth Cavity: Teeth occupy about 20% of the oral cavity's total surface area. There are 20 primary teeth, often known as baby or milk teeth, with 8 incisors, 4 canines, and 8 molars. There are 32 permanent (or adults) teeth overall, including 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, and 12 molars.

Teeth Diseases

Topic Image

  • Cavities (Caries): Bacteria that avoid being removed by saliva and brushing cause damage to the deeper dental structures and enamel. The majority of cavities occur on the molars and premolars.
  • tooth-decay: Cavities and other diseases of the teeth are collectively referred to as tooth decay.
  • Periodontitis: Inflammation of the more deeply seated dental tissues (periodontal ligament, jawbone, and cementum). Usually, poor dental hygiene is to blame.
  • Gingivitis: Infection of the gums' outer layer, particularly in and around the dental crowns. Gingivitis may result from the accumulation of plaque and tartar.
  • Plaque: A sticky, white layer made of bacteria and the substances they release is called plaque. After eating anything sugary, plaque forms quickly on the teeth, but it may be removed with a simple brushing.
  • Tartar: When the plaque is not removed, it will react with the minerals to form tartar, a tougher substance. Tartar removal requires expert cleaning.
  • Periodontal Disease: In this disease the symptoms include bleeding gums while brushing flossing or eating crunchy foods, tenderness and pain in gums with recurrent swelling also causing recurrent mouth sores
  • Cleft Lip or Palate: In the early stage of foetal life at that time of 6 to 9 weeks a cleft lip or palate occurs and if it does not complete development it causes formation of cleft lip which can be treated by cosmetic surgery or grafting of a flap.
  • Oral Thrush: In this situation many type of older oral infections like candidiasis aspergillosis etc occurs in the mouth
  • Halitosis: More commonly it is called as bad bad breath which has been occurring due to development of bacterial or fungal flora into the mouth, or which can be also because of ketosis
  • Overbite: The top teeth overbite the lower teeth noticeably.
  • Underbite: A condition in which the bottom teeth extend far beyond the top teeth.
  • Teeth Grinding, or Bruxism: This condition usually occurs while you're asleep and might be due to stress, nervousness, or sleep disturbances. Some signs include a mild migraine or a sore jaw.
  • Tooth Sensitivity: When a tooth or teeth get sensitive to heat or cold, the dentin may become uncovered.
  • Periodontitis: Your jaw as well as bones may become infected when periodontitis worsens. Additionally, it may trigger an inflammatory reaction all over the body.
  • Cracked or Broken Teeth: An injury to the jaw, eating tough foods, or nighttime teeth grinding can all cause a tooth to fracture or break. A broken tooth might hurt a lot. If you've split or broken a tooth, you should go to the dentist right away.
  • Sensitive Teeth: If you have sensitive teeth drinking or eating cold or hot things may cause you pain or discomfort.
  • Dentin Hypersensitivity: It is known as another name for tooth sensitivity, and can occasionally develop right after a filling or a root canal.
  • Oral Cancer: Gums tongue lips cheeks the mouth's bottom soft and hard palates. Oral cancer is frequently detected for the first time by a dentist. The main cause of oral cancer is tobacco use, which includes smoking and chewing.

Dental Examinations

  • Teeth X-ray Films: The pictures of the X-ray radiographs of the tooth aid in locating cavities that are too small to see or those are situated below the gum line.
  • Dental Examination: Viewing and delicately moving the teeth allows a dentist to spot any potential dental issues.
  • Vital Pulp Testing: This type of test is used by Android on test for checking the vitality of patients dental pulp, it involves series of test having electrical and cavity examinations through various ways
  • Periapical Tests: This type of test is performed by specialized endodontists to assess the causation events formed by bite in power; it involves percussion and palpation of the offending tooth and how far the infection is being increased.
  • Cephalometric Projection: It involves scan of one side of head through X-rays majorly done by orthodontist for better fitting of the jawbones
  • Doppler study: The arteries and veins in the oral region are highly brand and sensitive which can be infected through any source of infection deterioration of oral mucosa. Which can be studied through Doppler scan.

pms_banner

Dental Treatments

Topic Image

  • Root Canal: If tooth decay extends all the ways inside of the teeth to the nerve, you might require a root canal. The nerve is removed during a root canal and replaced with a biocompatible filler, typically consisting of a rubber-like substance called gutta-percha as well as adhesive cement.
  • Flap Surgery: A small cut is made in the gum during a flap procedure to lift up a piece of the tissue. Then they clean the gums' undersides of germs and tartar. After that, the flap is sewn back around your teeth.
  • Bone Transplant: When gum disease damages the bone enclosing the tooth root, bone transplantation is required. The dentist uses a graft that can be created from your own skull, synthetic bone, or donated bone, to replace the damaged bone.
  • Brushing Your Teeth: Regular tooth brushing helps to prevent cavities by removing plaque from the teeth.
  • Dental Flossing: In order to clean teeth underneath the gingival margin, where brushing is unable to, dental flossing or an authorized gum cleaner must be used.
  • Dental Rinsing: Killing bacteria that cause foul breath and gum disease by rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash every day.
  • Dental Cleaning: Cleaning your teeth professionally twice a year can help to avoid tooth and gum problems.
  • Dental Filling: A cavity can be stopped from damaging a tooth by drilling out the diseased portion and replacing the empty space with a mineral filling.
  • Tooth Extraction: Tooth may need to be extracted if it cannot be repaired with a filling or a root canal. In order to prevent the other teeth from shifting, wisdom teeth are typically removed.
  • Braces: A man-made system or device that places teeth in tension for a protracted length of time. Eventually, braces can assist in realigning misaligned teeth.
  • Mouth Shield: A mouthguard made of plastic can protect against tooth grinding and injuries sustained as a result of participation in sports.
  • Dental Sealants: These are plastic coatings that are put to the teeth to help prevent germs from hiding in cracks and crevices on the surface of the teeth. Additionally, it aids in keeping teeth free of cavities.
  • Teeth Whitening: Both over-the-counter and specialized chemical procedures can make teeth whiter. The most typical side effect is sensitivity of the teeth.
  • Dental Implant: Implant is a small rod or a screw which is surgically inserted into the jaw of patient which can be made of any stronger metal like titanium or zirconium
  • Orthognathic Surgery: It is a type of corrective jaw surgery which is used for correcting skeletal and dental irregularities like a misaligned jaw through this type of surgery patients ability to speak, talk or chew the fruit increases.
  • Sleep Apnea Treatment: When a patient's airway becomes blocked while sleeping this type of surgery is performed in which cleaning of airway and recurrent inflammation regions of the mouth are removed.
  • Pulpotomy: In this surgical procedure tooth pulp is opened and drainage of infection is done eight was used precursor of root canal treatment
  • Fiberotomy: In this particular method of orthodontic treatment, the gingival fibres and gum tissue are severed.
  • Veneers: In this implantation of artificial covering like a crown is done which only covers the forward surface of the tooth including buccal and labial portions. they do not protect the biting properties of the teeth
  • Dentures: A partial or incomplete set of teeth or a complete set of teeth is used then there is a lesser amount of teeth remaining in an individual; these prosthetic teeth can be made of any stronger metal or of calcium and zinc derivatives.
  • Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery: It is a type of surgery that deals with defects, injuries and disorders evolving in the oral region which can be of oral muscles, teeth or lymph nodes.

Teeth Medicines

  • Broad Spectrum Antibiotics: Your dentist may recommend antibiotics to help treat an infection if you have gum disease or a tooth problem that has spread to your jaw or other teeth. The antibiotic is available as a mouthwash, gel, tablet, capsule, or oral tablet. During surgical operations, topical antibiotic ointment may also be given to the gums or teeth.
  • Specific Oral Antibiotics: Antibiotics like Erythromycin , and combinations of penicillin and amoxicillin are known to be useful for treating oral infections.
  • Analgesics: Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use for relevance of paint at the time of tooth infection or toothache are useful as they are not habit forming and have lesser side effects some of the examples of analgesics are Ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium, naproxen etc
  • Antifungals: Drugs for the treatment of oral candidiasis like micro-statin clotrimazole etc are also used and topical solutions of neomycin are also known.
  • Antiseptics: Oral cleaning solutions of antiseptic are known to be used by people regularly for prevention of fungal and bacterial infections which kills germs and reduces the chances of infections like chlorhexidine gluconate, and milder solutions are chloroxylenol
  • Saliva Substitutes: Solutions of saliva substitutes are known in the cases of dry mouth condition which increases moisture and reduces deterioration of oral mucosa some of the examples of saliva substitutes are Moi-Stir, Mouth Kote, Optimoist, Saliva Substitute, Salix, and Xero-Lube
  • Probiotics: Probiotics are primarily recognised for its role in maintaining gut health, but recent studies have indicated that the good bacteria may also be advantageous for your teeth.
  • Anaesthetics: Topical anaesthetics which come in forms of oral ointments, sprays and liquids can relieve the pain and deterioration of the surface lining of the mouth.

Popular Questions & Answers

View All

I have a dental problem. My lower jaw's front t...

related_content_doctor

Dr. Jayvirsinh Chauhan

Homeopath

It is a common thing that gets deposit on teeth. And it needs to be removed by scaling. You will ...

Hi, I am 16 years old male I had cavities in my...

related_content_doctor

Dr. Ghanshyam Singh

Dentist

It can't be a milk tooth as normally milk teeth are shed by the age of 13-14 years. If it has sen...

I had taken the OPG for my teeth shown in my im...

related_content_doctor

Dr. Isha Malhotra

Dentist

See if wisdom tooth is disturbing the other tooth and has caused a deep cavity .. in the next too...

There seems a gum growth over the last upper mo...

related_content_doctor

Dr. Anisha Nanda

Dentist

Hello lybrate-user pain in the third molar tooth is a common dental pain. Need not worry about it...

I am 24 year old girl I have migraine problem a...

related_content_doctor

Dr. H. Divya

Dentist

Dear lybrate-user, the picture is not visible, please send them and share more details on your pr...

Table of content

Content Details
Profile Image
Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
Reviewed By
Profile Image
Reviewed ByDr. Bhupindera Jaswant SinghMD - Consultant PhysicianGeneral Physician

Find Dentist near me

pms_banner
chat_icon

Ask a free question

Get FREE multiple opinions from Doctors

posted anonymously
lybrate_youtubeâ–¶
lybrate_youtubeâ–¶
lybrate_youtubeâ–¶
lybrate_youtubeâ–¶
lybrate_youtubeâ–¶

Having issues? Consult a doctor for medical advice