dentin

noun

den·​tin ˈden-tᵊn 

variants or dentine

ˈden-ˌtēn 

den-ˈ

: a calcareous material similar to but harder and denser than bone that composes the principal mass of a tooth see tooth illustration

dentinal

den-ˈtē-nᵊl  ˈden-tə-nəl 

adjective

Examples of dentin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, sloth teeth are made primarily of dentin, a more porous and organic-rich tissue that readily changes its chemical composition with fossilization. —Aditya Reddy Kurre, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025

Genetics can predispose you to having thinner enamel, which can make the yellow dentin more obvious.3 5. —Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2025

Meanwhile, the inlay for a maxillary left central incisor was deeper into the dentin layer, but stopped short of the pulp chamber. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 28 Aug. 2025

Each tubule runs through the tooth's dentin layer, directly to a nerve ending within the tooth's pulp. —New Atlas, 17 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1845, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dentin

• lenten
• stenton
• gabapentin

Kids Definition

dentin

noun

den·​tin ˈdent-ᵊn 

variants or dentine

ˈden-ˌtēn  den-ˈtēn 

: a calcium-containing material that is similar to bone but harder and that makes up the principal mass of a tooth

dentinal

den-ˈtēn-ᵊl  ˈdent-ən-ᵊl 

adjective

Medical Definition

dentin

noun

den·​tin ˈdent-ᵊn 

variants or dentine

ˈden-ˌtēn  den-ˈtēn 

: a calcareous material similar to bone but harder and denser that composes the principal mass of a tooth, is formed by the odontoblasts of the surface of the dental papilla, and consists of a matrix containing minute parallel tubules which open into the pulp cavity and during life contain processes of the cells of the pulp compare cementum, enamel

dentinal

ˈdent-ᵊn-əl; ˈden-ˌtēn-ᵊl  den-ˈ 

adjective