Teeth Are Not Bones

At a glance, it's easy to group teeth in with the bones of the human skeleton. They are both hard, white, and rich in calcium, but their development and structure tell a different story. A tooth is composed of distinct layers: the superhard outer enamel, the bone-like dentin beneath it, and the soft pulp at the core containing nerves and blood vessels. Bones, in contrast (Review), are living, vascular organs that contain marrow, a key component in producing red and white blood cells. Teeth have no