Tandmassa

Tandmassa is a term used in dental contexts to denote the biological mass that constitutes a tooth, composed of enamel, dentin, cementum and dental pulp. Enamel forms the hard outer surface and protects the tooth; dentin lies beneath and makes up most of the tooth’s bulk; cementum covers the root and anchors the tooth to the jaw via the periodontal ligament; the dental pulp occupies the central chamber and contains nerves and blood vessels.

During development, enamel is produced by ameloblasts, dentin by odontoblasts, and cementum by cementoblasts. The root forms under the guidance of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath, with dentin and cementum deposited accordingly.

The primary functions of a tooth mass are chewing and processing food, protection of underlying tissues through the enamel and dentin, and sensory feedback via the pulp. Structural integrity depends on healthy periodontal support and proper occlusion.

Common pathologies affecting tandmassa include caries that hollow enamel and dentin, fractures and wear (attrition), pulpitis and pulpal necrosis after deep decay or trauma, and periodontal disease that can compromise support. Diagnosis relies on clinical examination and imaging such as bite-wing radiographs or cone-beam CT.

Management aims to preserve natural tooth structure when possible, using fillings, inlays or crowns; root canal treatment to treat or prevent pulpal disease; and periodontal therapy to maintain supporting tissues. In severe cases, extraction followed by replacement with implants or bridges may be necessary.

This overview provides a general understanding of tandmassa; consult dental anatomy references for more detail.