Are Teeth Bones? What Teeth And Bones Are Made Of - Healthline
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Medically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS — Written by Jaime Herndon, MS, MPH, MFA — Updated on June 12, 2018Teeth and bones look similar and share some commonalities, including being the hardest substances in your body. But teeth aren’t actually bone.
This misconception might arise from the fact that both contain calcium. More than 99 percent of your body’s calcium can be found in your bones and teeth. Approximately 1 percent is found in your blood.
Despite this, the makeup of teeth and bones is quite different. Their differences inform how they heal and how they should be cared for.
What are bones made of?
Bones are living tissue. They’re made up of the protein collagen and the mineral calcium phosphate. This enables bones to be strong but flexible.
Collagen is like a scaffolding that provides the bone’s framework. The calcium fills in the rest. The inside of the bone has a honeycomb-like structure. It’s called trabecular bone. The trabecular bone is covered by cortical bone.
Because bones are living tissue, they’re constantly being remodeled and regenerated throughout your life. The material never stays the same. Old tissue is broken down, and new tissue is created. When a bone breaks, bone cells rush to the broken area to begin the regeneration of tissue. Bones also contain marrow, which produces blood cells. Teeth do not have marrow.
What are teeth made of?
Teeth are not living tissue. They’re comprised of four different types of tissue:
- dentin
- enamel
- cementum
- pulp
The pulp is the innermost part of a tooth. It contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. The pulp is surrounded by dentin, which is covered by the enamel.
Enamel is the hardest substance in the body. It has no nerves. Though some remineralization of enamel is possible, it can’t regenerate or repair itself if there’s significant damage. This is why it’s important to treat tooth decay and cavities sooner rather than later.
The cementum covers the root, under the gum line, and helps the tooth stay in place. Teeth also contain other minerals but do not have any collagen. Because teeth are not living tissue, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene, since early damage to teeth cannot be naturally repaired.
The bottom line
While teeth and bones might appear to be the same material at first glance, they’re actually quite different. Bones can repair and heal themselves, while teeth cannot. Teeth are more fragile in that respect, which is why it’s so important to practice good dental hygiene and see a dentist regularly.
How we reviewed this article:
SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.- Body basics: Mouth and teeth. (2015). https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/mouth-teeth.html
- What is bone? (2015).https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/bone-health/what-is-bone
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