noun
- Plural of dentine; the hard, bone-like tissue that forms the bulk of a tooth, lying beneath the enamel and surrounding the pulp.
Usage: Also spelled 'dentin' (more common in U.S. English); 'dentine' is the British spelling.; Technical/medical term used in dentistry and anatomy.
Examples
- The dentines of the tooth were exposed after the enamel wore away.
- Dentists study the structure of dentines to understand tooth decay.
- When gum recession occurs, the dentines become sensitive to temperature changes.
- The microscopic tubules in dentines allow sensation to reach the nerve.
- Fluoride treatments can help protect exposed dentines from erosion.