Adults typically have 32 permanent teeth, though people who’ve had all of their wisdom teeth removed might have only 28. Some people naturally have fewer teeth, a condition called hypodontia.

but teeth are not bones. They share similar properties, but differences in their makeup and function set them apart. For instance, teeth contain enamel, a substance much harder than bone.

Dentures have long been seen as the ideal solution to missing teeth. People using dentures can regain function, appearance, ...

Tooth enamel may also provide a mechanism to guide wear. Many mammals have what has been termed secondary morphology: their teeth function most efficiently when worn (Fortelius, 1985). Some ...

but also where their unique properties come from. The teeth are composed of a family of structural proteins, which have a mechanical function rather than a biological function. Some examples ...