Which component is primarily made of hard, dense bone tissue in a tooth?

The component of a tooth that is primarily made of hard, dense bone tissue is dentin. Dentin is located beneath the enamel and constitutes the bulk of the tooth structure. It is composed of a mineralized matrix similar to bone, providing strength and support. This tissue is also vital for the overall structure and protection of the tooth, as it surrounds the pulp chamber and helps transmit sensations related to temperature and pain due to its sensitivity.

Enamel, while also a hard tissue, is actually the outermost layer of the tooth and is the hardest substance in the human body, but it is not made of bone tissue. The gingiva is the gum tissue surrounding the teeth, relevant for oral health but not a component of the tooth's structure. Pulp refers to the central part of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels, which is soft tissue, not dense bone tissue. Each of these components plays distinct roles in tooth structure and health, reinforcing the importance of dentin in providing mechanical support.