Dental Admissions Test (DAT) Practice Test

Which part of the tooth contains nerves and blood vessels?

1. Dentin

2. Pulp chamber

3. Crown

4. Enamel

The correct answer is: Pulp chamber

The correct answer is the pulp chamber because this area of the tooth is responsible for housing the nerves and blood vessels that are essential for the health and vitality of the tooth. The pulp chamber is located in the center of the tooth, surrounded by dentin, and it contains the soft tissue known as dental pulp. This dental pulp is crucial as it provides nourishment and sensation to the tooth. When the tooth is healthy, the nerves within this chamber allow a person to feel temperature changes and pressure. If the tooth becomes injured or infected, this pulp can become inflamed or die, often leading to pain and requiring dental treatment. The other options do not contain nerves and blood vessels. Dentin, while it is a major component of the tooth structure, is composed of a calcified tissue and has small nerve endings but does not include the main supply of nerves and blood vessels found in the pulp chamber. The crown refers to the visible part of the tooth above the gum line and is primarily composed of enamel and dentin, while enamel is the hard outer layer that protects the tooth but does not contain any nerves or blood vessels.