ˈdent ə n, -tə̇n noun
or den·tine ˈden.ˌtēn, ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷
( -s )
Etymology: dent- + -in, -ine
: 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 ; see tooth illustration