Whats in a tooth?
Teeth are composed of three structures: enamel, dentin and cementum. The center of each tooth, also called the pulp, encases a nerve along with blood vessels and lymph channels. The enamel — the white outer coating of the teeth — is 97% mineral and is the hardest tissue in the body. Under the enamel is the dentin, which makes up the bulk of the tooth. Dentin is about 80% mineral, and is what the ivory from elephants’ and walrus’ tusks is made of. Cementum is the coating over the root that covers the dentin and anchors the tooth to the bone via periodontal ligament fibers. Cementum is 65% mineral and indistinguishable from bone.
