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

Tooth fracture: Fractures (breaks), cracks, or chips in tooth enamel can also expose dentin, allowing heat, cold, or other triggers to reach the dentin. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 21 June 2025

Researchers have now confirmed dentin as a common denominator. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 21 May 2025

Teeth are made of dentin, which is one of the hardest substances in the body. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025

These stains can appear as your enamel thins with age, allowing the yellowish dentin (hard, inner tissue that makes up most of the tooth) to show through. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 2 Feb. 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