Radiology of the Teeth and Jaws

Abstract

The tooth consists of the visible crown and neck as well as the root embedded in bone (Fig. 46.1). The crown is capped by radiodense enamel, which is insensitive but is the site of caries. The bulk of the tooth consists of dentine, which is homogeneous and is slightly less dense than enamel. The central pulp chamber contains blood vessels and nerves. It tapers towards the apex of the root. The apex itself gradually closes off during development. The root lies within a radiolucent space, the periodontal membrane space, surrounded by the bony cortex of the socket — the lamina dura — seen as a thin white line. The root itself is surrounded by cementum, but this is not seen on radiography unless it has undergone hypertrophy.