Tooth MorphologyTooth Morphology
DentitionDentition
DentitionDentition Natural teeth in Natural teeth in
position in the position in the dental arch.dental arch.
ArchArch One row of teeth in One row of teeth in
the mouth.the mouth. Maxillary Maxillary
Upper teethUpper teeth MandibularMandibular
Lower teethLower teeth
Numbers of teethNumbers of teeth
Permanent Permanent 32 total32 total
16 each arch16 each arch 20 succedaneous20 succedaneous
Replace baby Replace baby teeth!teeth!
Primary Primary 20 total20 total
10 each arch10 each arch NO pre-molarsNO pre-molars NO 3NO 3rdrd molars molars
Quadrants Quadrants Each arch is Each arch is
divided into R + L.divided into R + L. MidlineMidline
Max. R. quadrantMax. R. quadrant URQURQ
Max. L. quadrantMax. L. quadrant ULQULQ
Man. L quadrantMan. L quadrant LLQLLQ
Man. R quadrantMan. R quadrant LRQLRQ
SextantsSextants 6 sections of the 6 sections of the
mouthmouth 3 of each arch3 of each arch
MaxillaryMaxillary Max. R. Post. SextantMax. R. Post. Sextant Max. Anterior SextantMax. Anterior Sextant Max. L. Post. SextantMax. L. Post. Sextant
MandibularMandibular Mand. L. Post. SextantMand. L. Post. Sextant Mand. Anterior SextantMand. Anterior Sextant Mand. R. Post. SextantMand. R. Post. Sextant
Tooth surfacesTooth surfaces Anterior Anterior
Facial / LabialFacial / Labial LingualLingual MesialMesial DistalDistal Incisal edgeIncisal edge
PosteriorPosterior Facial / BuccalFacial / Buccal LingualLingual Mesial Mesial DistalDistal OcclusalOcclusal
Proximal surfaces?Proximal surfaces? Surfaces of adjacent Surfaces of adjacent
teeth closest to each teeth closest to each other.other.
Mesial / DistalMesial / Distal MidlineMidline
Mesial / MesialMesial / Mesial ExampleExample
You floss the proximal You floss the proximal surfaces of a tooth.surfaces of a tooth.
Your floss would be Your floss would be interproximal.interproximal.
Between the proximal Between the proximal surfaces.surfaces.
Tooth RelationshipsTooth Relationships Antagonistic Antagonistic (Antagonists)(Antagonists)
Teeth that work Teeth that work together to chewtogether to chew
Same tooth in the Same tooth in the opposite arch.opposite arch.
#1 and #32#1 and #32 #14 and #19#14 and #19
AdjacentAdjacent Teeth next to each Teeth next to each
other in the same arch.other in the same arch. #17 and #18#17 and #18
Tooth descriptionsTooth descriptions
ConvexConvex Outward curveOutward curve BulgeBulge Rounded projectionRounded projection
ConcaveConcave Inward curveInward curve Recessed areaRecessed area
Opposite of convexOpposite of convex
convex
Concave
Tooth MorphologyTooth Morphology
Contact pointContact point Where adjacent Where adjacent
teeth touch each teeth touch each other.other.
DiastemaDiastema Aka open contactAka open contact Naturally occurring Naturally occurring
‘gap’ between teeth‘gap’ between teeth Common #8 #9Common #8 #9 Any 2 teeth/archAny 2 teeth/arch
Tooth MorphologyTooth Morphology
EmbrasureEmbrasure Triangular space Triangular space
between the between the contact and the contact and the gingiva.gingiva.
CingulumCingulum Lump of enamelLump of enamel Lingual surfaceLingual surface @ the gum line.@ the gum line. Maxillary incisorsMaxillary incisors
Tooth MorphologyTooth Morphology
LobesLobes Underdeveloped Underdeveloped
cusps.cusps. CuspCusp
Pointed or round Pointed or round mound of enamel.mound of enamel.
Form the ‘bumps’ on Form the ‘bumps’ on the chewing surface the chewing surface of molars and of molars and premolars.premolars.
““cuspid”!cuspid”!
Tooth MorphologyTooth Morphology
FossaFossa RoundRound Triangular Triangular
““low spot” / low spot” / recessed arearecessed area On a surfaceOn a surface Between cusps or Between cusps or
ridges.ridges.
Developmental Developmental groove.groove. Linear Linear
““low spot” / low spot” / recessed arearecessed area
Usually occlusal Usually occlusal surfacesurface
Between cuspsBetween cusps
Tooth MorphologyTooth Morphology
FissureFissure Imperfect union of Imperfect union of
cuspscusps Appears as a small Appears as a small
“crack”“crack” Located at the Located at the
bottom of a bottom of a developmental developmental groovegroove
PitPit Where fissures Where fissures
cross or end.cross or end. Sealants are placed Sealants are placed
in pits and fissures in pits and fissures to prevent decay.to prevent decay.
Tooth MorphologyTooth Morphology
MamelonsMamelons 3 small cusps 3 small cusps
Incisal edgeIncisal edge Newly erupted Newly erupted
incisors.incisors. Wear down w/ use.Wear down w/ use.
Cusp of CarabelliCusp of Carabelli 55thth/ additional cusp/ additional cusp Lingual surfaceLingual surface Maxillary 1Maxillary 1stst molars molars
#3 + #14#3 + #14
Tooth MorphologyTooth Morphology
RidgesRidges Elevated lines of Elevated lines of
enamel between enamel between cusps.cusps.
Many examplesMany examples
Marginal ridgesMarginal ridges Form the mesial + Form the mesial +
distal borders of the distal borders of the tooth.tooth.
Extend between the Extend between the buccal and lingual buccal and lingual cuspscusps
Tooth MorphologyTooth Morphology CrownCrown
Top of the toothTop of the tooth Covered w/ enamelCovered w/ enamel
Root(s)Root(s) Bottom of the toothBottom of the tooth Covered w/ cementumCovered w/ cementum
ApexApex End of the rootEnd of the root
Apical foramenApical foramen Hole @ apexHole @ apex
Tooth MorphologyTooth Morphology
FurcationFurcation Dividing point of Dividing point of
rootsroots Of a multi-rooted Of a multi-rooted
toothtooth BifurcationBifurcation
2 roots2 roots TrifurcationTrifurcation
3 roots3 roots
Furcation
Tooth tissue junctionsTooth tissue junctions
CEJCEJ Cementoenamel Cementoenamel
junctionjunction Where enamel Where enamel
meets cementum.meets cementum. Around the outside Around the outside
of the tooth.of the tooth.
DEJDEJ Dentinoenamel Dentinoenamel
junctionjunction Where enamel Where enamel
meets the dentin.meets the dentin. Under the enamelUnder the enamel
Permanent Tooth Permanent Tooth descriptions!descriptions!
Max. Cent. IncisorsMax. Cent. Incisors Numbers: 8, 9Numbers: 8, 9 # of roots: 1# of roots: 1 Nerve: ASANerve: ASA Type of injection:Type of injection:
InfiltrationInfiltration Succedaneous: yesSuccedaneous: yes
Replaces E and FReplaces E and F Function Function
Cut Cut
Max. Lat. IncisorsMax. Lat. Incisors 7, 107, 10 1 roots1 roots ASAASA InfiltrationInfiltration Succedaneous: yesSuccedaneous: yes
Replaces: D, GReplaces: D, G Most anomalies.Most anomalies. FunctionFunction
Cut Cut
Permanent Tooth Permanent Tooth Descriptions!Descriptions!
Max. Cuspid / canineMax. Cuspid / canine 6 + 116 + 11 1 root (Longest)1 root (Longest) ““cornerstone” of the cornerstone” of the
mouthmouth ASAASA
InfiltrationInfiltration Succedaneous: yesSuccedaneous: yes
Replace C, HReplace C, H FunctionFunction
Tear / cut Tear / cut
Max 1Max 1stst premolar / premolar / bicuspidbicuspid 5 + 125 + 12 2 roots2 roots
Only premolar w/ 2 Only premolar w/ 2 rootsroots
Removed for orthoRemoved for ortho MSAMSA
InfiltrationInfiltration Succedaneous: yesSuccedaneous: yes
Replace B, IReplace B, I FunctionFunction
ChewChew
Permanent Tooth Permanent Tooth Descriptions!Descriptions!
Max 2Max 2ndnd Premolar Premolar 4 + 134 + 13 1 root1 root MSAMSA
InfiltrationInfiltration Succedaneous: yesSuccedaneous: yes
Replace A , JReplace A , J Function Function
Chew Chew
Max 1Max 1stst Molars Molars 3 + 143 + 14
6 year molars6 year molars Cusp of carabelliCusp of carabelli
3 roots3 roots PSA PSA
MSA MB rootMSA MB root Infiltration Infiltration
Not SuccedaneousNot Succedaneous FunctionFunction
Grind Grind Chew Chew
Permanent Tooth Permanent Tooth Descriptions!Descriptions!
Max 2Max 2ndnd Molars Molars 2 + 152 + 15
(12 year molars)(12 year molars) 3 roots3 roots PSAPSA
InfiltrationInfiltration Not succedaneousNot succedaneous FunctionFunction
GrindGrind Chew Chew
Max 3Max 3rdrd Molars Molars 1 + 161 + 16
(wisdom teeth)(wisdom teeth) 3 roots3 roots PSAPSA
InfiltrationInfiltration Not succedaneousNot succedaneous FunctionFunction
Grind Grind Chew Chew
Permanent Tooth Permanent Tooth descriptions!descriptions!
Mandibular Mandibular Central IncisorsCentral Incisors 24 + 2524 + 25 1 root1 root Incisive nerveIncisive nerve
Infiltration Infiltration Succedaneous: yesSuccedaneous: yes
Replaces O + PReplaces O + P FunctionFunction
cutcut
Mandibular lateral Mandibular lateral Incisors Incisors 23 + 2623 + 26 1 root1 root Incisive nerveIncisive nerve
InfiltrationInfiltration Succedaneous: yesSuccedaneous: yes
Replaces N + QReplaces N + Q FunctionFunction
cutcut
Permanent Tooth Permanent Tooth Descriptions!Descriptions!
Mandibular Cuspid Mandibular Cuspid / Canine/ Canine 22 + 2722 + 27 1 root1 root Incisive nerveIncisive nerve
InfiltrationInfiltration Succedaneous: yesSuccedaneous: yes
Replaces M + RReplaces M + R FunctionFunction
Tear / cutTear / cut
Mandibular 1Mandibular 1stst Premolar / Premolar / bicuspidbicuspid 21 + 2821 + 28 1 root1 root IA IA (inferior alveolar)(inferior alveolar)
Block injection @?Block injection @? Mandibular foramenMandibular foramen
Succedaneous: yesSuccedaneous: yes Replaces L + SReplaces L + S
Function Function chewchew
Permanent Tooth Permanent Tooth Descriptions!Descriptions!
Mandibular 2Mandibular 2ndnd Premolar / Premolar / bicuspidbicuspid 20 + 2920 + 29 1 root1 root IA nerveIA nerve
BlockBlock Succedaneous: yesSuccedaneous: yes
Replaces K + TReplaces K + T FunctionFunction
Chew Chew
Mandibular 1Mandibular 1stst MolarsMolars 19 + 3019 + 30 2 roots2 roots IA nerveIA nerve
BlockBlock Not SuccedaneousNot Succedaneous Function Function
Chew, grind, Chew, grind, pulverizepulverize
Permanent Tooth Permanent Tooth descriptions!descriptions!
Mandibular 2Mandibular 2ndnd MolarsMolars 18 + 3118 + 31 2 roots2 roots IA nerveIA nerve
BlockBlock Not succedaneousNot succedaneous FunctionFunction
Grind, chew, Grind, chew, pulverizepulverize
Mandibular 3Mandibular 3rdrd Molars Molars (wisdom teeth)(wisdom teeth)
17 + 3217 + 32 2 roots2 roots IA nerveIA nerve
BlockBlock Not succedaneousNot succedaneous Function Function (if in occlusion)(if in occlusion)
Grind, chew, Grind, chew, pulverizepulverize
Primary Tooth Primary Tooth DescriptionsDescriptions
AkaAka Deciduous Deciduous Baby Baby MilkMilk
Denoted / LabeledDenoted / Labeled A – TA – T ABC’sABC’s AlphabeticallyAlphabetically Letters not Letters not
numbersnumbers
No No PremolarsPremolars 33rdrd molars molars
RootsRoots Max molarsMax molars
3 roots3 roots Mand molarsMand molars
2 roots2 roots Cuspid / canine and Cuspid / canine and
incisorsincisors All 1 root.All 1 root.
Naming a Tooth!Naming a Tooth! Arch 1Arch 1stst
Max or MandMax or Mand Side 2Side 2ndnd
Right / leftRight / left Position 3Position 3rdrd
Central / LateralCentral / Lateral 11stst / 2 / 2ndnd / 3 / 3rdrd
Type of tooth 4Type of tooth 4thth Molar / premolar / Molar / premolar /
cuspid / incisor cuspid / incisor
Examples Examples Permanent teethPermanent teeth #2#2
Max R. 2Max R. 2ndnd Molar Molar #21#21
Mand L. 1Mand L. 1stst PremolarPremolar
Primary teethPrimary teeth #B#B
Max R. 1Max R. 1stst primaryprimary molar molar
ConclusionConclusion
Knowing your tooth names and Knowing your tooth names and numbers is critical to being a numbers is critical to being a successful dental assistant.successful dental assistant.
Understanding morphology Understanding morphology terminology will make it easier to terminology will make it easier to communicate with your dentist.communicate with your dentist.
Do you have any questions?Do you have any questions?