Human dentition, structure

Introduction. The evolution of dentitions as independent minerahzed organs shows that from the earliest vertebrates to modem mammals, there has been a diversity of biomineralized structures and processes (Halstead, 1974). The following discussion focuses on human dentition as an example of the many teeth and oral cavity arrangements found in warm or cold-blooded vertebrates. 

The addition of therapeutic or cosmetic agents to dentifrices has paralleled advances in knowledge about factors affecting the human dentition. Agents added to dentifrices can act directly on the host tooth structure or on specific oral accumulations, for example, the principal action of fluoride is on the tooth enamel. The primary action of an abrasive, however, is on an accumulated stained pellicle. Oral accumulations of interest to preventive dentistry are dental pellicles, dental plaque, dental calculus (tartar), microbial populations responsible for oral malodor, and oral debris (food residues, leukocytes, etc.). Plaque is most important because of its potential to do harm. 

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