| This is the normal appearance of a tooth. The part seen above the stratified squamous epithelium of the gingiva is the "clinical crown" while the "anatomic crown includes the part covered by enamel. Beneath the enamel is a layer of dentin. The center of the tooth is filled with pulp that contains nerves and vessels, extending down as the root canal. and exiting at the apical foramen. The root of the tooth, covered by cementum, is embedded in bone and anchored by the periodontal ligament. Dense connective tissue lies beneath the soft gingival epithelium. |