The fibrous tissue of the gum is continuous with the periosteum lining the alveoli (periodontal

membrane).

3. Nerve supply: The upper gums on labial aspects are supplied by posterior, middle & anterior
superior alveolar nerves. Their lingual aspects are supplied by anterior or greater palatine &
nasopalatine nerves. The lower gums on labile aspects are supplied by buccal branch of mandibular &
incisive branch of mental nerves. Their lingual aspect is supplied by the lingual nerve.

4. Lymphatics of the upper gum pass to the submandibular nodes. The anterior part of the lower
gum drains into the submandibular nodes.

Teeth

The teeth form part of the masticatory apparatus & are fixed to the jaws. In man, the teeth are replaced
only once (diphyodont) in contrast with non-mammalian vertebrates where teeth are constantly
replaced throughout life (polyphycodont). The teeth of the first set (dentition) are known as milk, or
deciduous teeth and the second set as permanent teeth.

The deciduous are twenty in number. In each half of each jaw there are two incisors. One canine. &
two molars.

The permanent teeth are thirty two in number, and consist of two incisors, one canine, two
premolars, and three molars in each half of each jaw.

Parts of a tooth

Each tooth has three parts: (1) A crown, projecting above & below the gum; (2) a root, embedded in the
jaw beneath the gum; (3) a neck, between the crown and surrounded by the gum (Fig. 14.1).

Structure

Structurally, each tooth is composed of: (1) The pulp in the centre; (2) the dentine surrounding the pulp;
(3) the enamel covering the projecting part of dentine, or crown; (4) the cementum surrounding the
embedded part of the dentine, and (5) the periodontal membrane.
 The pulp is loose fibrous tissue containing vessels, nerves and lymphatic, all of which enter the pulp
cavity through the apical foramen. The pulp is covered by a layer of tall columnar cells, known as
odontoblast which are capableof replacing dentine any time in life.

The dentine is a calcified material containing spiral tubules radiating from the pulp cavity. Each
tubule is occupied by a protoplasmic process from one of the odontoblast. The calcium and organic
matter are in the same proportion as in bone.

The enamel is the hardest substance in the body. It is made up of crystalline prisms lying roughly at
right angles to the surface of the tooth.

The cementum resembles bone in structure, but like enamel and dentine it has no blood supply, nor
any nerve supply. Over the neck, the cementum commonly overlaps the cervical end of enamel; or, less
commonly, it may just meet the enamel. Rarely, it stops short of the enamel (10%) leaving the cervical
dentine covered only by gum.

The periodontal membrane (ligament) holds the root in its socket. This membrane