How it works
A back tooth cut down the middle, in its socket in the jaw. Each part has its name and its job beside it. Below is a row of teeth to sort by type. Then take the tooth anatomy quiz.
Read the full guide
From the outside in
Enamel caps the crown. Under it is dentin, which makes up most of the tooth. In the middle is the pulp, with nerves and blood vessels that come in through the tip of each root. Cementum coats the roots, and the periodontal ligament ties it to the jawbone.
Label the teeth by type
From the front of one side: two incisors, one canine, two premolars, three molars. As a dental anatomy quiz the page asks two things about each part, its name and then what it does.
- Enamel covers the crown and cementum covers the root; they meet at the neck.
- Count back from the middle on one side: 2 incisors, 1 canine, 2 premolars, 3 molars.
Questions and answers
What are the main parts of a tooth?
The crown above the gum, the root in the jawbone and the neck between them. Inside, three hard layers, enamel, dentin and cementum, surround the soft pulp in the middle.
What is the hardest part of a tooth?
Enamel, the outer layer of the crown. It is the hardest substance in the human body and protects the softer dentin under it from wear.
What do the four types of teeth do?
Incisors at the front cut food. Canines, the pointed teeth beside them, tear it. Premolars and molars at the back crush and grind it. An adult has 32 teeth: 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars and 12 molars.
Can I use this to label the features of a typical tooth?
Yes, for practice. The drawing is our own and not a copy of any textbook figure, so it is not an answer key: your course may ask for a different set of names.