Dentin is the yellowish, bone-like tissue that forms the bulk of each tooth, lying under the enamel in the crown and under the cementum in the root. It is about 70 percent mineral and is crossed by millions of tiny dentinal tubules that hold the processes of odontoblasts, cells lining the pulp. Unlike enamel, dentin keeps forming slowly throughout life.
| Location | Forms the main body of the crown and root of each tooth, surrounding the pulp cavity |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Pulpal nerve fibres from the superior and inferior alveolar nerves (sensation via the dentinal tubules) |
Gives the tooth its shape and resilience, supports the brittle enamel and transmits stimuli to the pulp, acting as part of the dentin-pulp complex.
When dentin is exposed by gum recession, erosion or wear, fluid movement in the tubules triggers short sharp pain to cold, sweet or touch (dentin hypersensitivity). Decay spreads sideways along the softer dentin under intact enamel, so cavities are often larger than they look. In response to decay or wear the pulp lays down reparative (tertiary) dentin, a natural defence that narrows the pulp chamber.
Short sharp pain from exposed dentin when stimulated by cold, air, sweet foods or brushing, caused by fluid movement within the dentinal tubules.
Inherited disorder of dentin formation producing discoloured, translucent teeth that wear and fracture easily; can occur with osteogenesis imperfecta.
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