Are Teeth Bones – Even though bones and teeth are among the strongest parts of the body, teeth cannot be considered as bones. Although these two structures share a certain level of parallelism with regards to their structures and functions, they are indeed different and there exist some key differences between them. To appreciate how bones and teeth relate, there is a need to examine how bones and teeth are structured, what they are made of and their functions in the body. The dissimilarities between each structure is discussed while elaborating on how teeth cannot be considered as bones.
Analyzing the structures of Teeth
Teeth are made up of three layers:
Outer Enamel
Outer enamel is the most wear resistant and is made up of 96% hydroxyapatite reducing the amount of mineral content within the substance, in turn making it stronger. It can also be noted that outer enamel does not contain living cells in comparison to bone tissue, meaning that it is unable to heal when damaged. As such, outer enamel acts as a protective mechanism to the inner tooth structure, making outer enamel the strongest component in the human body.
Dentin Layer
Treated in between the enamel is the dentin, an organic calcified tissue that accounts for the majority content of the tooth. Microscopic tubules within the dentin tissue contain reactions to sensations such as heat, cold, and pressure, as this layer is more porous than the outer enamel, which contains 70% mineral’s in its composition.
- Pulp: Here is where the baby tooth and nerves enter, also known as the dental pulp. The blood vessels inside the pulp free dental nerves, keeping fractures and gum sores to a minimum.
- Cementum: Cementum sits between the tooth root and alveolar bone. Earlier cementum was thought to be a mineralized tissue but now it is attributed with structural and functional properties, i.e., it stabilises the tooth.
The enamel, dentin, cementum, and pulp layers come together to create a portion of the human machinery that is capable of biting, chewing, speaking, and more. A diamond is effortlessly broken by these layers.
The Anatomy Of Bones
Bones are resilient structures capable of primary mechanical roles and protection of internal organs – producing living tissues.
- Collagen: It is a protein which is a constituent of bones that gives the bones flexibility and tensile strength.
- Minerals: Bones are chiefly composed of mineral calcium phosphate which gives the hardness and rigidity to the bone.
- Bone Marrow: Marrow is located within the hollow cavity of a number of bones and it is responsible for synthesizing red and white blood cells.
Bones are physiological structures that are always relatively active and always remodeling in bone resorption, formation, and other processes. Bone is a living tissue that contains cells that allow it to be repaired and respond to stress, such as osteoblasts that assist with bone development and osteoclasts that assist in bone resorption.
The Relationship Between Bony Structures and Their Teeth
The bony structures and the human teeth do have some factors or elements that are registered as common elements, outside their differences, what this means is that:
1. Mineral Content:
- The basic structure of the two items is hydroxyapatite which is a form of calcium phosphate and gives them their durability.
2. Support Functions:
- Just as bones give the body structure, teeth assist in chewing and speaking.
3. Attachment to the Skeleton:
- The teeth are attached to the skeletal system by the periodontal ligament that holds them into the jaws.
Key Differences Between Teeth and Bones
Even though the structures above have some features in common, they differ on numerous factors other than the rest :
Living Cells:
Bones are considered as living tissues containing living cells that enable them to grow, remodel, and repair. As for teeth, these are composed largely of enamel which lacks living cells hence it does not regenerate.
Blood Supply:
As for bones, there are lots of blood vessels present which aid in nourishing the tissues. For teeth on the other hand, blood vessels are absent from enamel and dentin surfaces, as for the pulp it is vascularized.
Function:
The main functions of bones are to give support, protection to important organs and produce blood cells, the teeth on the other hand are used for biting chewing and during speech.
Regeneration:
Bone structures have the capacity of healing and even regeneration whereas teeth lack this ability especially enamel, any signs that may damage dents or enamel are permanent.
Reason as to Why Teeth are not Considered as Bones
Due to differences within the physiology, roles and how each structure is able to heal, teeth are not classed within the same category as bones. Rather, they are seen as an oral structure designated for the purposes of chewing and speech besides their role to aid in eating. Due to the lack of bone marrow along with living cells in the enamel, and also due to their intrinsic inability to fix themselves, they are more suited to be bones.
No, Teeth Are Not Bones Which Many Assumed
- Teeth Have Calcium So they Must Be Bones: Yes, both teeth and bones have high levels of calcium within them however they are different in their shape and matching role which distinguishes the two.
- Teeth Are a Skeletal Component: In a strict view, teeth do not belong to the skeletal anatomy but they are included in the dental anatomy, nevertheless they serve a function. They are however rooted in the mandible, which is a bone of the skull.
- Teeth And Bones Need Equal Caring And Maintaining: Yes, both teeth and bone have calcium for them to be healthy however the dental hygiene methods of brushing and flossing are exclusive for teeth.
How to Maintain and Take Care of Teeth and Bones
Both the teeth and the bones need to be kept healthy since they are important for the wellbeing of an individual:
1. For Teeth:
- Brush your teeth two times a days with toothpaste rich in fluoride.
- Use a floss to regularly remove plaque as well as food debris.
- Book an appointment with your dental professional for check-ups and cleanings regularly.
- To avoid getting cavities, stay away from sweetened foods and drinks.
2. For your Bones:
- Take a balanced diet inclusive of calcium and vitamin D.
- Regularly perform weight-bearing workouts to toughen up the bones.
- Limit smoking and cut down on drinking whiskey as these habits will contribute to weaker bones.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the Reason that Teeth are Made Out of Different Material than Bones?
Teeth and bones both contain similar minerals in the form of hydroxyapatite. The only difference is that dental teeth have enamel, while bone has none.
2. What is the Reason Teeth Cannot Heal Like Bones?
Enamel around teeth cannot heal due to the fact there are no live cells, and once it is broken it cannot repair itself.
3. What is the Strongest, Teeth or Bones?
Enamel is a layer that coats the exterior of the human persona, so:
The hard and more mineralized portion of your body that protects your skeleton is referred to as “teeth”.
4. Are Teeth Part Of The Skeleton System?
Technically, teeth are not bones; they are a part of the teeth system, but are housed in the jaw bone which is part of the skeleton system.
5. How can I keep my teeth and bones healthy?
The first step in ensuring that your bones and teeth remain in good shape is having a diet that’s rich in calcium and vitamin D, then ensuring that your oral health practices are correct, and finally partaking in physical exercises on a regular basis.
6. What happens if I lose a tooth? Can it grow back?
Teeth are very different from bones in the sense that they can not grow back Therefore, if you lose a tooth, a dentist would be able to propose implants or bridges or dentures which can help you regain functionality.
7. Why do children have their baby teeth replaced with permanent ones?
Baby teeth are regarded as developmental tools that help preserve your jaw in preparation for permanent teeth. Your jaw only expands with age, and with it, so do your larger, stronger, permanent teeth.
Even though we can treat bones and teeth as one, it’s important to note that bones and teeth differ in many ways such as their structure, purpose, as well as their ability to regenerate. Knowing these helps us understand more deeply why teeth are important to our bodies and advanced our understanding of oral hygiene.
