Complete records are kept to document changes and improvement. Either type may interfere with grasping or chewing food and performance. Long standing malocclusions result in premature loss of teeth. Incisors are designed to bite off forage, after which the tongue moves forage back to the cheek teeth. The outer layer is cementum.
Cementum attaches to the periodontal ligament, which anchors the tooth to the surrounding bone.
Dentin makes up most of the tooth substance, gives strength to the tooth and surrounds the enamel. Enamel is the strongest substance in the body, but is brittle when compared to dentine. The combination of dentine and enamel give the tooth great strength, plus flexibility. These three substances wear at different rates, producing an irregular, rough surface capable of crushing very tough food material. The undulations go from side to side of the tooth.