Each human tooth is composed of three hard mineralized tissues—enamel, dentin, and cementum—and a soft connective tissue known as the dental pulp, located at the center of the tooth.

Enamel

Enamel is the highly mineralized tissue that covers the crown of the tooth. With up to 95% mineral content, it is the hardest part of the tooth—and the hardest tissue in the entire body. Thanks to its composition, enamel is extremely resistant to external influences and serves as the tooth’s primary line of defense.

Dentin

Dentin forms the bulk of the tooth and contains about 75% mineral content, making it softer and less resistant than enamel. In the crown region, it’s covered by enamel, while in the root region, it’s covered by cementum. Numerous narrow tubules run through the dentin, housing nerve endings that transmit sensations such as heat and cold from the external environment to the tooth’s nerve.

Cementum

Cementum is a hard mineralized tissue with slightly less than 70% mineral content. It covers the dentin in the root area and contains Sharpey’s fibers, which anchor the tooth to the jawbone—allowing for stable fixation within the jaw.

Dental Pulp

The dental pulp is a soft, loose connective tissue that fills the inner chamber of the tooth. It consists of the tooth nerve, blood and lymph vessels, collagen and elastic fibers, and various cells. Its primary role is to nourish the tooth and receive external stimuli.