| Definition: | The structure of the tooth. Includes: enamel, dentin, gum, pulp, periodontal ligaments, root canal with blood vessels and nerves, socket, and jaw bone.
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| Information: | The visible portion of the tooth is the crown, which is made of enamel. Just beneath the enamel is the dentin, a substance that is harder than bone. The gum surrounds the base of the tooth. The root of the tooth with its blood vessels and nerves extends down into the jaw bone and provides circulation and sensation to the tooth. The socket is the pocket in the bone in which the tooth sits. The jaw bone (the mandible or lower jaw bone and the maxilla or upper jaw bone) is the bone that contains all the teeth and provides stability and mobility for the mouth and teeth for chewing.
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