Dental anatomy
Superficial Anatomy edit
Human teeth can be distinguished by various anatomical landmarks that they have in common, but which are uniquely different for each type. These are:
- Cusps
- Ridges
- Fossae
- Cingula
- Grooves
While there exists natural variation between all mouths, usually the class traits of teeth provide sufficient evidence to identify any given tooth, it's type and which quarter it originates from.
Permanent Dentition edit
Permanent teeth are generally larger in size than primary, and their roots more compactly positioned. They are also more apt to wear and discoloration, mainly because they spend much longer in the individual's mouth. [1]
Incisors edit
Incisors are the four most anterior teeth in each jaw, eight in total. There are two central and two lateral incisors each in the mandibular and maxillary jaws. The class traits of incisors include
Typically, the maxillary incisors are of larger dimensions than the mandibular, and while maxillary central incisors are larger than lateral, in the mandible it is the other way around.
Canines edit
Also referred to as cuspids, due to their single cusp, canines have the largest root-to-crown height in the mouth.
Premolars edit
Also called bicuspids,
Molars edit
Wisdom Teeth edit
The third molar, or wisdom teeth, are the least predictable in the mouth. Often a knobby lump of irregular tubercles,
Primary dentition edit
Incisors edit
As with permanent teeth, there are eight incisors.
Canines edit
Molars edit
The predecessors of the permanent pre molars, [2]