Definition

1. Noun:
   • The hard, dense, bony tissue forming the main part of a tooth beneath the enamel: Dentine is a calcified substance that surrounds the tooth's pulp cavity and is covered by the enamel on the crown and by cementum on the root.
   • A calcareous material that is harder and denser than bone: Dentine constitutes the bulk of a tooth's structure and is less brittle than enamel.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Cavities that penetrate the enamel will reach the sensitive dentine underneath.
  • The dentine is yellow in color, which can become visible if the enamel wears thin.
  • Dentine contains microscopic tubules that connect to the nerve in the pulp.

Advanced Usage

• "Dentine hypersensitivity": A condition where the dentine becomes exposed, leading to pain from hot, cold, sweet, or acidic stimuli.

  • Using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help manage dentine hypersensitivity.

• "Primary dentine": The dentine formed during tooth development, before the tooth's root is fully formed.

• "Secondary dentine": Dentine that is slowly formed after root completion, throughout the life of the tooth.
• "Tertiary dentine" (or reparative dentine): Dentine formed rapidly in response to trauma, such as a cavity or wear, to protect the pulp.

Variants and Related Words

• Dentin: An alternative spelling of 'dentine', more commonly used in American English.

  • Dentin and dentine refer to the same calcified tissue.

• Dentinal (adj): Pertaining to or of the nature of dentine.

  • The dentinal tubules are pathways to the nerve.

Synonyms

• Tooth dentin: The specific dentine of a tooth.
• Ivory: (In a broad, non-technical sense) The hard, white material from tusks, which is chemically similar to dentine but from different animals. Note: This is not a precise synonym in a dental context.

Related Phrases and Terms

• "Dentine-enamel junction (DEJ)": The boundary where the dentine and enamel meet.

  • The bond at the dentine-enamel junction is crucial for the tooth's structural integrity.

• "Dentine bonding": A dental adhesive procedure that bonds restorative material to the dentine surface.

  • Modern dentistry relies on strong dentine bonding for fillings.

Noun

1. bone (calcified tissue) surrounding the pulp cavity of a tooth
2. a calcareous material harder and denser than bone that comprises the bulk of a tooth