Tooth Anatomy

Tooth anatomy This illustration shows the anatomy of a tooth and gums as well as the supporting structures that surround a tooth.

Glossary of Terms:

Blood vessels: carry nutrients to the tooth.
Bone: alveolar bone forms the tooth socket and provides it with support.
Cementum: the layer of hard bone-like tissue covering the root of the tooth.
Cemento-enamel junction: the line where the enamel and cementum meet.
Dentin: the hard yellow tissue underlying the enamel and cementum, making up the main bulk of the tooth.
Enamel: the hard, white outer layer of the tooth.
Gingiva: the gum tissue surrounding the tooth.
Ligament: the connective tissue that surrounds the tooth and connects it to bone.
Nerves: relay signals such as pain to and from your brain.
Pulp: located in the center of the tooth, it contains the arteries, veins and nerves.
Root canal: canal in the root of the tooth where the nerves and blood vessels travel through.

Home | Site Map | Terms of Use | Privacy policy

558 E. Wardlow Road, Long Beach, California 90807 | Phone: 562.427.1221

Dr. Tashiro is a general and cosmetic dentist and he welcomes new patients from all over the Long Beach area including Fountain Valley, Irvine, Los Angeles, and Lakewood. He provides a full range of general and cosmetic dental services for the whole family such as porcelain veneers, Lumineers ®, Invisalign ® clear braces, chair side teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, porcelain fillings and bridges, porcelain crowns, tooth-colored fillings, digital x-rays, and dental implants, plus teeth cleaning and regular dental check-ups to help find and prevent gum disease and the causes of tooth pain, as well as oral cancer exams.