A working knowledge of the structure of the teeth is essential for proper performance of dental treatments as well as effective client education.  The majority of the tooth tissue is composed of dentin.  Specialized cells called odontoblasts form dentin continuously.  These are living cells that secrete minerals from near the center of the tooth.  Primary dentin is that part of the tooth that forms before the tooth erupts in the mouth.  Secondary dentin forms after the tooth erupts and is darker in color than primary dentin.  Tertiary dentin forms in response to trauma to the tooth and is also darker in color.

The portion of the tooth that is above the gumline is referred to as the tooth crown.  The crown is covered with enamel.  Enamel is the hardest substance produced by living tissue.  Ameloblasts are the cells that form enamel.  Unlike the odontoblasts, ameloblasts die after the enamel is formed.  This tissue is therefore not capable of regeneration.  The enamel covering is usually quite thin and brittle.  There is no enamel on the roots of the teeth.  Instead, the tooth roots are covered with a bony substance called cementum.  The cementum provides a site for attachment of the periodontal ligaments.

The deepest chamber of the tooth is called the pulp.  This area contains blood vessels, nerves, and lymph vessels and provides nourishment and sensory stimuli to the odontoblasts.  The odontoblasts are located along the periphery of the pulp chamber.

The bones of the jaw that contain the teeth are referred to as the maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw).